Charity funds therapeutic live music to help intensive care unit patients

Pictured above: Harpist Delyth Jenkins from Music in Hospitals and Care.

Thanks to donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has provided over £7,000 to fund regular, therapeutic live music for patients at four Intensive Care Units (ICUs) across the health board.

The funding has provided live music sessions for patients across the Intensive Care Units at Glangwili, Prince Philip, Withybush and Bronglais Hospitals for one year.

The one-hour sessions, which started in April 2023 following a pilot programme, has improved the wellbeing of patients, their families and staff in Intensive Care across the health board through the provision of gentle, calming and distracting live music.

The sessions have been delivered by Music in Hospitals and Care, a charity that improves the health and wellbeing of children and adults through the healing power of live music. Music in Hospitals and Care have provided musicians from west Wales for the sessions.

Sarah Carmody, Critical Care Unit Service Manager, said: “We are very excited about the new music therapy that has been delivered across our Intensive Care Units thanks to charitable funds.

“Our staff have said how lovely it is seeing the music make our patients smile. The sessions have created a relaxing atmosphere for our patients on the unit.”

Kathryn Lambert, Arts in Health Co-ordinator, said: "The feedback we have had from patients, staff and musicians has been really wonderful.

“The introduction of live music in the Intensive Care setting helps to create a calming and therapeutic environment, improving the patient experience, and helps to show how the staff within the Intensive Care services go above and beyond for the care of their patients."

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”