Arts at NUH musicians in residence lift mood and reduce anxiety across hospital sites
Posted on: 26 May 2026
A musicians in residence programme funded by Nottingham Hospitals Charity through Arts at NUH is bringing regular live music to wards, clinics and public areas across QMC and City Hospital.
The initiative is helping to reduce anxiety, improve wellbeing and create moments of calm for patients, visitors and staff.
The challenge
Patients across NUH often face long hospital stays, repeated appointments, or extended waiting times in outpatient clinics, which can lead to boredom, stress and anxiety.
Clinical environments can also feel unfamiliar or overwhelming, highlighting the need for simple, accessible interventions that bring comfort, distraction and emotional relief during treatment and waiting periods.
What the grant funded
Fortnightly visits from professional musicians are transforming the hospital experience across NUH sites, with live performances delivered in wards, outpatient clinics and specialist areas.
Fortnightly live performances across ward spaces and public areas at both QMC and City Hospital.
Additional funding supports musicians working in specialist settings, including HCOP and Oncology, ensuring patients in more complex care pathways also benefit from tailored live music experiences.
Measurable outcomes
Thanks to grant funding, this programme has contributed to...
Regular fortnightly live music sessions delivered across wards and public hospital spaces
Reduced patient anxiety reported in outpatient and waiting areas
Increased positive mood and wellbeing among patients, visitors and staff
Music facilitating conversation, reminiscence and social interaction between patients and families
Improved patient perception of hospital experience, with feedback describing care environments as more enjoyable and uplifting
Positive engagement observed, including singing along, emotional responses and applause during performances
Staff reflections...
Staff consistently report that live music has a noticeable positive impact on ward atmosphere and patient wellbeing.
They describe the performances as calming, relaxing and highly appropriate for clinical settings, with patients often appearing more settled and engaged during and after sessions.
Staff also note that music helps create shared moments of enjoyment, bringing smiles to both patients and colleagues.
What patients and loved ones say...
Patients and visitors frequently describe the music as deeply calming and emotionally meaningful during stressful or uncertain times in hospital.
One visitor shared that live music helped calm them before a procedure, while others described songs as evocative and nostalgic, triggering positive memories and emotional connection.
Patients have described the experience as uplifting and even “the best medicine,” noting that it improves mood, brings hope, and makes their time in hospital feel more bearable and human.