The Art Programme at Tallaght Hospital 2009–2010

The art programme for patients in the Renal Dialysis Unit here at The Adelaide and Meath Hospital is now well established. Artist-in-residence Ms Lucia Barnes has been working with patients in the unit for six years. This is part of an active programme of arts for patients across the hospital, including arts as part of Age Related Health Care, Oncology, Renal dialysis and Neurology services. In each area the emphasis is on tailoring art sessions to meet the specific needs and requests of patients in the service. We continue to consult patients and staff in the renal dialysis unit regarding art sessions.

Since our last report, the funding you so generously give us has been used to:

• Continue to employ a professional artist, with experience of working with patients, to oversee the dialysis unit art sessions and expand the service by introducing more patients to the art sessions.
• Provide art materials for patients to use in the sessions.
• In November 2009 we hosted artists and managers from Galway and Waterford Hospitals to share information and training on arts in renal dialysis services.
• We are currently working with patients to prepare for two major patient art exhibitions this autumn; one in the hospital main corridor and one in Rua Red, the brand new arts centre in Tallaght. The exhibitions will be held in October 2010 and we intend to invite members of the PKRF to visit the exhibition and meet the artists and patients. We hope this will also be an opportunity for both the arts programme at the hospital and PKRF to publicise their work and the needs of people on renal dialysis.