Health Minister announces review into artwork spending

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has announced a review into spending on artwork in healthcare facilities.

Current policy allows for an element of the construction budget to be spent on artwork which includes improvements to landscaping, lighting, signage, as well as works of art. In recent years this expenditure has been constrained, however, to no more than 1% of the capital budget, and in practice is considerably less.

The Minister said: “I have a duty to ensure that public monies are spent appropriately and that maximum value for money is secured. I have therefore asked officials to review the current policy into spending on improving the patient environment. In particular, I want clear guidance produced on how resources should be found for works of art.

“I recognise the benefits of creating a therapeutic environment for patients as evidence shows that, on average, patients spend less time recovering from operations and require fewer pain-killing drugs. High quality patient environments also benefit staff and visitors.

“Let me be absolutely clear. There have never been, any plans to spend millions of pounds on works of art in any healthcare facility. Recent allegations concerning the Ulster Hospital were simply not true. My priority is putting patients first and investing in frontline health services. I expect health trusts to spend their capital budget allocations appropriately and with proper regard to value for money for the tax payer and my department will continue to closely monitor all such spending decisions.

“I want health trusts to build on the existing good practice of obtaining grants and working with arts organisations and local communities to create an aesthetic and healing environment as efficiently and effectively as is possible.”

As part of the review, the Minister said he wanted clear definitions on exactly what was included in the term ‘artwork’. He continued: “Recent reports suggested that up to £30million will be spent on art in hospitals over the next 10 years. This is very misleading and does not reflect any actual proposals in relation to future spending on art.

“It is equally misleading to suggest that monies spent on improving the patient environment could result in job losses or a decline in patient care. This money comes from our capital budget which cannot, under Treasury Rules, be used for employment of staff or patient treatment services. These are funded from our revenue budgets.

“I have asked officials to report back on their findings as quickly as possible and to produce clear guidance for healthcare organisations on future spending to improve the patient environment.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. A high-quality patient environment can have significant benefits on the healing process and patient outcomes. Studies have shown that patients in this type of environment spend 20% less time recovering after an operation and can require up to 15% fewer pain killing drugs during this period. Healthcare facilities are also a workplace and the research revealed that aggression towards staff working in these environments has reduced by 40%.
2. A further research exercise in 1999 revealed that 89% of frontline clinical staff considered that the quality of the environment does have noticeable effects on patients and that art makes a significant contribution to the healing environment.
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