'Uplifting' live music brought to Royal Preston Hospital to boost patient morale and well-being

A first of its kind music-inspired initiative has been launched at Royal Preston Hospital to boost the morale of critically ill patients.
Catherine Roberts, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, introduced the concept onto the ICU at Royal Preston HospitalCatherine Roberts, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, introduced the concept onto the ICU at Royal Preston Hospital
Catherine Roberts, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, introduced the concept onto the ICU at Royal Preston Hospital

The initiative, called ICU-Hear, offers live music to critically ill patients on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), provided by charity group Music In Hospitals and Care.

A hospital spokesman said: “The aim of this initiative is to provide a soothing, relaxing, calming and even uplifting atmosphere for patients who are critically ill in hospital.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The music aims to make the critical care unit less clinical and provide a calming ambience for patients.”

The initiative, calledICU-Hear, offers live music to critically ill patients on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), provided by charity group Music In Hospitals and CareThe initiative, calledICU-Hear, offers live music to critically ill patients on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), provided by charity group Music In Hospitals and Care
The initiative, calledICU-Hear, offers live music to critically ill patients on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), provided by charity group Music In Hospitals and Care

The music is played live rather than on the radio or a similar platform to allow musicians to alter their tone or pace accordingly in response to the behaviour of the patient.

Catherine Roberts, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, introduced the concept onto the ICU at Royal Preston Hospital.

It is the first of its kind in Lancashire, and was officially launched at an event on Wednesday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Catherine, pictured inset, said: “ICU Hear has only been launched in a couple of hospitals so far, and we are excited to be the first in Lancashire to be offering this fantastic service.

“Being in our Intensive Care Unit can be an extremely scary, daunting and unnerving experience, and we always aim to do anything that we can to try to help our patients to feel more comfortable.”

Holly Marland played the kora - an African harp - for patients as part of the launch event, which was funded by the Governor Patient Experience Charitable Fund.

The initiative was started by a former ICU patient at Manchester Royal Infirmary at a regional support group.