The gift of music, a powerful and enjoyable alternative tool for staff and patients in hospital | News

Palliative wards across the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust have recently benefitted from the gift of music. Using MY Hospital Charity palliative care funds, the Trust’s palliative care team purchased radios and CD players with the belief that music therapy can improve patient care. 

Speaking about their wish to fill wards with nostalgic music, Paige Newsome, Education Facilitator for the Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care team at Mid Yorks said;

“Music has long been acknowledged as a powerful tool for expression and as an effective instrument in meeting the needs of those who are facing illness and loss, whilst searching for meaning, hope and acceptance.

“Playing music in end-of-life care can improve a person's quality of life by helping to relieve symptoms, address psychological needs, offer support and comfort, facilitate communication and meet spiritual needs.”

MY Hospitals Charity is the registered NHS Charity supporting Mid Yorkshire’s three hospital sites in Wakefield, Pontefract and Dewsbury and in the community.

The aim of the charity is to raise and allocate funds for projects that elevate the physical and emotional wellbeing of patients and staff, and improve facilities and services across the Trust, which would not otherwise be funded by the NHS.

Richard Robinson, Chief Medical Officer at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust said;

“I am delighted to hear that charitable funds have been used in this way.

“Elevating the experience, we offer patients is a priority at Mid Yorks. Finding ways to manage stress without drug treatments will benefit patients and the NHS, supporting improved quality of life for people under our care.

“Across the Trust, we are encouraging staff to play patient’s favourite songs as part of their care. I look forward to enjoying the music myself.”

If you wish to support MY Hospitals and in turn, help improve patient care visit: www.myhospitalscharity.org