‘Art and Medicine’ & Community Projects

Although there is undoubtably an art to being a doctor I have until recently pursued art and medicine separately. My work as an inner city GP has always been fulfilling but can be demanding and stressful. I find creativity complimentary and invigorating, a restorative place to go to where I am using different problem solving skills and a another part of my brain.

I am passionate about improving mental health and am now enjoying combining art and medicine in various ways, including NHS staff Well Being and Social Prescribing. There is much evidence that creativity lowers anxiety and improves mood and connectivity with people through art is beneficial.

NHS Staff Well Being

In collaboration with the Hackney Mosaic Project I have completed a mosaic mural with my GP Practice staff which helped combat burnout and rebuild the team after covid.

https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/mini-apps/news/newsPage.asp?NewsID=2301

I have also run mosaic making team building workshops with the staff on the intensive care units at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Community Art

Patients and the wider community took part in The River Place Bench Mosaic Project. We invited vulnerable patients with mental health problems, bereavement and isolation to take part.

As Artist in Residence of Highgate Allotments I have run drawing, painting and clay classes with Primary school children.

GOING BLIND

Recently I developed cataracts and my vision was temporarily severely impaired. My perception of colour and light was distorted and I have represented this in paintings. It was fascinating as a painter and a doctor to try to understand both the mechanism of these changes and of the visual spectacle that I experienced during the operation itself.

Personally I find it therapeutic to portray my own life experiences in creative ways and have written about my illness too.  

It is great to be able to witness the power of creativity in NHS team building and with patients and I hope to expand this interest in different settings and with vulnerable patients.