Norfolk Centre for Interventional Radiology sees major artworks installed

Beverley Coraldean artwork

Giant artwork by Norfolk artist Beverley Coraldean, has been installed in the NNUH’s £7m Norfolk Centre for Interventional Radiology (NCIR), which is due to start admitting patients later this autumn.

Beverley was commissioned to create a number of pieces for the NCIR including large wall claddings and two ceiling panels, after being selected from around 30 artists by a panel of patients and staff at the trust.

NNUH Environmental Arts Manager, Emma Jarvis, who has been co-ordinating the installation for the unit said: “This is really cracking work; they are very gentle on the eye, as well as being really modern and funky and perfect for this innovative new unit.”

The unit is the first in the country to house two Siemens Artis Pheno C-Arm robots and will quadruple the number of interventional suites, placing NNUH among the biggest centres in the UK for interventional radiology. In turn this will transform the Trust into a national beacon of excellence and a regional training centre in this field.

The robotic arms will be at the centre of the new 1,450sqm space, which will comprise of four large treatment rooms, a fully kitted out 16-bed recovery unit, nurse bases, an anaesthetic room, offices, staff rest rooms, pre-assessment bays, prep rooms, scrubs, toilets and a main reception with waiting area.

The unit will have a significant part to play in reducing patient waiting times as the increased capacity will help staff better manage the dual demands of emergencies and elective procedures more effectively.

This is vital for patient experience as it will help meet increasing demand on services by allowing for more day case work, thus reducing waiting times for patients, and enabling NNUH staff to offer new services.

Beverley said: “It is great to work on a project as rewarding as for the new Unit. Knowing that the artwork might make a difference to people’s visits is what has driven this project.

“Our intention was to create a calm and peaceful environment with a modern feel and I was able to really push myself in terms of illustration, composition and palette.”

Beverley was selected to create a number of pieces for the NCIR including large wall claddings and two ceiling panels, after being selected from 24 artists by a panel of patients and staff at the trust.

With a theme of wildlife and nature, Beverley has used a specialised wall cladding which is able to withstand the rigours of our infection, prevention and control cleaning processes and standards that are in place in the NCIR.

The artwork was chosen by a panel including members of the Environmental and Arts Committee. Member Lilian Hodgson said: “Beverley’s work is calming, mindful and beautiful, giving immediate impact to the viewer. It is apt for the NCIR department where patients’ procedures are minimally invasive with comparatively quick recovery time as it will give them the opportunity to be comfortable enough to enjoy and appreciate the colour and beauty of “easy on the eye” art which will be all around them – on the walls and ceilings.

“It is a lovely visual distraction for staff, and for patients attending a necessary but somewhat stress-inducing procedure. “

Richard Drew, chair of the Environmental and Arts committee said: “The committee has existed for many years and has contributed to the installation of art in its widest sense and the general improvement in the NNUH and the old N&N.”