The National Arts in Hospitals Network (NAHN)

The National Arts in Hospitals Network (NAHN) launched the first comprehensive web-based guidance for establishing and managing hospital arts programmes across the UK.

The new toolkit provides evidence-based framework for embedding high-quality arts interventions in every hospital to improve patient care and staff wellbeing.

About the Guidance

The toolkit comprises 6 comprehensive guidance documents, 16 inspirational case studies from UK hospital arts programmes, and 14 practical tools and templates for immediate application.

The Management Guidance covers support for strategic planning and sustainable delivery:

• Governance: Foundational management and funding guidance
• Strategy: Planning arts programmes aligned with NHS priorities
• Evaluation: Understanding value and impact through effective assessment

The Programme Guidance covers practical information on delivering high-quality hospital arts activity:

• Collection Management: Starting and developing hospital art collections.
• Art and Environment: Integrating art into healthcare spaces.
• Participatory Arts: Engaging patients and staff in creative activities

The complete guidance, developed by creative health consultant Jane Willis in collaboration with NAHN members and funded by Arts Council England, is available as a free download at www.nahn.org.uk/arts-in-hospitals-guidance