Hospital’s exhibition helps patients recover faster

Apr 29 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

University Hospital Aintree (320)

LIVERPOOL icons will be unveiled in a new hospital exhibition aimed at helping patients recover faster.

Phil Redmond CBE unveiled the Memory Lane murals last night at University Hospital Aintree.

Featuring Steven Gerrard and the Queensway Tunnel, the murals are located in the department of medicine for the elderly rehabilitation unit (DME).

The corridors are regularly used to carry out walking assessments and it’s hoped patients will be more motivated to walk in an interesting, colourful environment.

Mr Redmond said: “Culture should never be perceived as something special or different because it is in every-thing we do, as individu-als, as people, as societies. Memories play an important role in cul-ture as they are the com-mon touchstones, by which we remember who we are, what we are and where we came from.

“As such they rein-force and underpin our present and through that help shape our future.

“Projects like Memory Lane provide common focal points to help stimulate and encourage social interaction.

“They can help people remember where they came from and how much of a shared past they have in common with others.”

Liverpool artist Jemma Egan was commissioned by Promoting Art in Aintree (Partia) to create 32 corridor panels over two floors.

The six stairwells will show themed aspects of Liverpool life from work to leisure.

Ms Egan, one of Liverpool Biennial’s freelance artists said: “My family and I recently spent some time with a relative on the DME ward so I was really pleased to have the opportunity to create something that not only brightens up corridors, but that could actually help facilitate the recovery of patients.”

Paula O’Malley, arts coordinator at Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The intended benefits of Memory Lane are to promote discussion and communication.”