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Orchestra music strikes a chord at hospital

BBC Woman with dark curly hair playing a violin she is wearing a dark coat, large posters and chairs and a desk can be seen behind herBBC
The orchestra's artist-in-residence, violinist Alena Baeva, recently performed

Musicians from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra have been swapping concert halls for hospital wards.

A pilot programme with Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, has seen musicians visit weekly to play and run music activities.

The orchestra's artist-in-residence, violinist Alena Baeva, recently performed before giving a recital.

The hospital said it had "already seen a positive impact" for patients, families and staff since it started in the summer.

Acclaimed solo violinist plays at Dorset Hospital

The musicians have been visiting the stroke unit, children's department and elderly care ward.

The hospital said the music had been seen to help calm younger patients, and therapists in the stroke unit had reported improved recovery through physical musical activities.

Patients with advanced dementia have also taken part in group singing to spark memories and conversations.

Matthew Bryant, chief executive at Dorset HealthCare and Dorset County Hospital, said: "Music is such an important part of everyday life for so many people, and we want to bring music and other creative arts into the healthcare environment to help healing and rehabilitation, and to make the hospital environment feel more normal.

"We can already see the positive impact of this for patients, families and staff - the difference the BSO musicians can make to how people feel is truly inspiring."

The project is set to expand into NHS sites in Poole and Sherborne this year.

It is being run by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Dorset HealthCare and Arts in Hospitals.

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