From The Liberty Wall – National Liberal Trade Unionists – Send Luvvies Into Care Homes!
NATIONAL LIBERAL TRADE UNIONISTS – NLTU – have recently featured a couple of interesting NHS-related articles by Dr. Max Pemberton. Dr. Pemberton is a London-based NHS psychiatrist, journalist and writer. Those wanting to find out more about him should check out his web-site http://www.maxpemberton.com/
.The NLTU finds his articles both interesting and provocative. He appears to be an independent thinker, somewhat non-conformist and certainly not Politically Correct! For instance, he feels that the reliance of the NHS on foreign workers is one of the biggest threats to the NHS: http://nationalliberal.org/from-the-liberty-wall-%e2%80%93-national-liberal-trade-unionists-debate-5-%e2%80%93-is-it-racist-to-want-nhs-nurses-to-speak-english
.Our attention was recently drawn to an article (from early August) concerning elderly care that appeared in the Daily Mail. Despite the slightly ‘wind up’ nature of the heading, the NLTU believes that he has a valid point. The idea of employing artists and performers as a form of community cultural service could – and should – increase job opportunities in all fields of the arts..
In addition, the NLTU favours a more holistic healthcare system – which would involve a move away from the over reliance on Big Pharma. The use of artists and performers (in the field of elderly care) should be rolled out immediately. Indeed, anything that relieves the stress experienced by front-line NHS staff and our over-reliance of medication has to be welcomed with open arms..
It goes without saying that there are no official links between Dr. Pemberton, the Daily Mail or the National Liberal Trade Unionists.
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Send Luvvies Into Care Homes!
Musicians from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra have been visiting residential homes, care homes and hospices in the local area bringing music to the residents. The NLTU believes that cultural organisations should make health integral to their work.
THE arts aren’t there just to entertain – they can actually make us feel better, according to a report this week from the All Party Parliamentary Group On Arts, Health and Wellbeing.
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It presented some astonishing research: 82 per cent of people enjoy greater wellbeing after engaging with the arts and 77 per cent take more physical activity.
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Even more striking, a project called Arts On Prescription resulted in a 37 per cent drop in visits to the GP and a 27 per cent reduction in hospital admissions. Furthermore, dementia patients’ medication rates drop and their levels of engagement with those around them increase.
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Various prestigious organisations have taken part in projects, including Wigmore Hall, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Liverpool Philharmonic.
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As someone who’s spent years working in nursing homes, first as a care assistant and later as a doctor, I think anything that can do this has to be welcomed.
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As too often, staff reach for the chemical cosh for ‘difficult’ behaviour, but the notable risks include stroke.
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Given the benefits, why can’t GPs prescribe art programmes?
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Part of the problem is that the NHS doesn’t view things holistically, and there is no mechanism whereby money saved from fewer consultations, say, is ploughed back into arts schemes. It’s all so woefully short-sighted.
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I think we should encourage artists and performers to visit hospitals and care homes as a sort of community service.
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The new report goes some way here, recommending that Arts Council England supports cultural organisations in making health integral to their work. Surely those in care homes deserve more than hours sat ossifying in front of daytime TV?
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• CHECK OUT the All Party Parliamentary Group On Arts, Health and Wellbeing report, Arts On Prescription, here: http://www.artshealthandwellbeing.org.uk/appg-inquiry/Publications/Creative_Health_The_Short_Report.pdf
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• CHECK OUT this Guardian article about a similar scheme here:  https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/nov/21/comedy-care-home-dementia
Date: November 29, 2017
Categories: Articles