Tonic Arts: Summer Round Up

A summer of creativity, collaboration and transformation across NHS Lothian, by Susan Grant and Len McCaffer

It’s been a busy summer for the Tonic Arts team. We believe creativity has an important role to play in healthcare. Over the past few months, we’ve been transforming spaces through new commissions, exhibitions and artwork installations, while supporting wellbeing through music, filmmaking and creative participation across NHS Lothian.

In this edition, we’re sharing some of the projects, partnerships and creative activities helping make healthcare environments more welcoming, supportive and uplifting for patients, staff and visitors.

Tonic Commissions

Enhancement Project Updates

Our enhancement projects continue to transform healthcare environments, making them more welcoming, calming and supportive for everyone who uses them.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights from the last few months.

CAMHS Musselburgh and Penicuik

After a few sneak peeks in our past newsletters, we’re delighted to share that the CAMHS Musselburgh and Penicuik enhancement project is now complete. Seventeen spaces, including waiting areas, consultation rooms and group rooms, have been transformed to create more welcoming and accessible environments for children and young people receiving mental health support.

The enhancements include calming colour schemes, comfortable furniture, improved lighting and new wall graphics. The refreshed spaces are designed to help reduce anxiety and create environments where young people feel safe, comfortable and supported during their care.

Designed by Stuart Smith Gordon in consultation with staff and patients, the project was shaped by the experiences of those who use the spaces every day. The aim was to help young people feel more relaxed and supported when attending appointments, while also creating better environments for staff to deliver care.

We’ll be sharing more photos of the finished project on our social media channels in the coming weeks.

Western General Hospital

Canteen

Hundreds of people pass through the Western General Hospital dining room every day. As part of a Tonic Arts enhancement project, we commissioned Edinburgh-based mural artist and signwriter Leah Pendleton to help reimagine the space. Through bespoke artwork, hand-painted signage and a fresh new colour scheme, the dining room has been transformed into a welcoming and uplifting environment where staff, patients and visitors can relax, refuel and connect.

Leah’s design draws inspiration from the natural world, incorporating leaf and vegetable-inspired forms alongside playful hand-painted lettering.

The project officially launched in August and is already receiving enthusiastic feedback from staff, who say the space feels brighter, more welcoming and easier to find thanks to the new wayfinding signage.

It’s brilliant. What a difference. It’s no longer plain but brightens the place up and makes it so much more welcoming.”

Staff member

Royal Hospital for Children and Young People

Crichton Unit and Theatre Suite

After months of design development, consultation and phased installation, we’re delighted to be officially launching the transformation of the Crichton Unit and Theatre Suite on Friday 25 September.

Working with designer Lauren Morsley, who was selected by staff through a competitive commissioning process, we have delivered a large-scale enhancement project featuring more than 568 square metres of bespoke vinyl artwork across the Unit and Theatre areas. The designs were shaped through engagement with staff, patients and families, helping to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for children and young people attending the service.

As the installation has been rolled out in stages throughout the year, staff and patients have already begun experiencing the impact of the vibrant new designs.

We’re pleased to share some of the final artwork and the completed spaces, which have transformed previously clinical environments into colourful, engaging settings designed to help reduce anxiety and support positive healthcare experiences.

With many thanks to our partners, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and generous donors including Coldstones Charitable Trust, who supported the project.

We’ll be sharing more images of the space on social media after the launch, so keep an eye out.

Fleeting Moments Sanctuary Installation

Fleeting Moments is an installation of 250 unique porcelain hand pressings created by patients, staff and visitors across Edinburgh hospitals, particularly the former Sick Kids. Participants paused, held soft porcelain and captured a personal moment in time through touch.

Now displayed in the RHCYP Sanctuary, the sculptures form a lasting symbol of community, reflection and shared experience. Created during an artist residency by artists Hans Clausen and Kjersti Sletteland and commissioned by NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts and managed by Ginkgo Projects as part of the Beyond Walls programme.

Royal Edinburgh Hospital

Mackinnon House

At Mackinnon House in the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, a once-drab entrance corridor has now been transformed into a colourful celebration of creativity.

The stunning floral wall design was developed from watercolour paintings created by members of the hospital community through Artlink workshops led by Anne Elliott. Designer, Natasha Russell, then brought the individual artworks together into a striking wallpaper installation.

The reaction has been immediate:

It instantly cheers you up.”

It’s beautiful. It’s so joyful.”

The fact that it’s patient artwork makes it even more special.”

The project highlights the power of creativity, collaboration and co-production in creating healthcare environments that feel welcoming and uplifting for everyone who uses them.

Coming soon!

We’re delighted to share a first look at some of the artwork being developed for the Neonatal Unit and Postnatal wards at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

We commissioned artist, Kimberly Carpenter, to create a bespoke series of designs for these spaces, helping to create environments that feel welcoming, uplifting and supportive for families, babies and staff.

We’re excited to share this early glimpse of Kimberly’s work as the project moves into its next phase this month and look forward to revealing the finished installations in a future newsletter.

New Projects Taking Shape

Alongside the commissions above, we’re continuing to develop a number of new projects across NHS Lothian. This includes an enhancement project at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh celebrating the history and legacy of the Pelican League, developed in collaboration with NHS Lothian Archives and former Pelican League staff. We’re also working on a major new mural for the Orchard Clinic courtyard at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, using colour blocks to create a more welcoming and engaging healthcare environment for patients and staff. We look forward to sharing more as these projects progress.

Tonic Collection – Site Enhancements

This summer, our Tonic Collection team has been busy helping healthcare spaces across NHS Lothian feel more welcoming, uplifting and reflective of the people who use them every day.

Over the past few months, we’ve installed 43 artworks across 10 NHS Lothian locations, responded to 11 new art requests, and continued to grow the collection through new acquisitions, commissions and generous artwork donations. These projects have ranged from busy clinical environments and waiting areas to staff spaces and wellbeing rooms.

Recent installations have included Ward 106 and the Link Bridge at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, the Wellbeing Suites Breastfeeding Room at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, the Genetics Service at the Western General Hospital and Canaan Ward at the Royal Edinburgh Building.

Each installation is developed in partnership with local teams, ensuring the artwork feels right for the space and the people who use it. Whether it’s providing a moment of calm, sparking conversation or simply brightening someone’s day, the collection continues to demonstrate how creativity can enhance healthcare environments.

As one member of staff told us:

Thanks so much for the pictures and putting them up. Our patients are now enjoying chatting about them.”

Artworks Installed in Memory of Dr Dhruv Abhi

Two new artworks, Iridescent and In the Clouds, have been installed in the radiotherapy department at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre thanks to money raised in memory of former colleague Dr Dhruv Abhi.

Following Dhruv’s passing in December 2024, his family, friends and colleagues came together to support the Edinburgh Cancer Centre through NHS Lothian Charity. Through fundraising, including the Edinburgh and London Marathons, nearly £28,000 has been raised.

Selected and installed by the Tonic Arts team, the artworks help create a calmer, more welcoming environment for patients and staff. Reflecting on the installation, Dhruv’s brother, Shaurya, said:

It means a lot knowing that the money raised is creating positive moments for patients and staff, while keeping Dhruv’s memory alive in a place that meant so much to him.”

Staff have already praised the artworks, describing them as a touching tribute that brings colour, calm and moments of reflection to the department.

They are both really wonderful. Stunning paintings capturing calm contemplation and a touching way to remember Dhruv. The one outside the registrar room is really impressive and complimented beautifully by the view across the city. The other really works well in the bright walkway between clinic and LA8/9 providing a much needed touch of colour. Both staff and patients really value the addition.”

Staff member

From NHS Lothian to the Saatchi Gallery

Two works from the Tonic Collection are currently on loan to London’s Saatchi Gallery as part of The Sun and the Moon: Art Inspired by the Celestial.

The paintings, by celebrated Scottish artist Marj Bond RSW, are helping showcase the quality and significance of the Tonic Collection.

Tonic Participation and Live Arts

Edinburgh International Festival NHS Sessions

We were delighted to welcome the Edinburgh International Festival back for its fifth year of performances within NHS Lothian settings, bringing moments of calm, joy and connection to patients, visitors and staff.

As well as performances across St John’s Hospital, Western General Hospital, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, we introduced a new twilight performance at the Western General Hospital for patients receiving haemodialysis and haematology treatment.

Alongside these performances, EIF also introduced a new pilot participatory music project at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, six sessions with more than 70 patients taking part creating their own songs.

Creatively Minded

Creatively Minded is now well underway, with staff across NHS Lothian enjoying a range of creative wellbeing activities, including art walks at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE), group discussions inspired by the Tonic Art collection, and new drop-in watercolour sessions with local artist, Kate Hajducka.

Supported by funding from Museums Galleries Scotland, the programme was developed for staff experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety. Through creative engagement with art, participants are encouraged to slow down, reflect and connect with others.

Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with staff describing the sessions as a chance to “get a break from work”, “take my mind off things” and gain a new appreciation of colleagues’ perspectives.

The next phase of Creatively Minded will focus on developing resources and guides that can be used by staff, patients and visitors, helping the benefits of the programme reach even more people across NHS Lothian.

Fantastic Creatures Parade at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital

This year’s annual parade at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital was all things Fantastic Creatures. From a massive Kelpie to a little butterfly, and we can’t forget Nessie in between! The artwork and costumes are created by patients and volunteers with the help of our partners, Artlink, who are based on the site. The parade travelled around the hospital grounds stopping off at the Community Gardens for a homemade scone, then to the Hive for a jig and back to Artlink’s Glasshouse to find out who won best costume!

Scottish Opera Partnership

Sign up for next term for our NHS Lothian and Scottish Opera Chorus

The Scottish Opera and NHS Lothian Chorus returns for its autumn term, led by Alistair Digges. Exploring opera, classical, folk and popular music, the chorus welcomes people of all abilities. No previous experience is needed and new members are welcome to join at any time.

Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 7.00pm to 9.00pm, until 17 November

Venue: St Columba’s by the Castle, Edinburgh

Membership is offered on a Pay What You Can basis, with free memberships and instalment options available.

Early Birds

We are delighted to be supporting Early Birds, a new interactive Scottish Opera programme for new mums and babies.

Through singing, music and shared experiences, the project will explore how creative participation can support wellbeing and recovery in the post-partum period.

If you know any new mums who might be interested, the programme will run on Thursdays through to the 27th of October.

10am, St David’s Carrick Knowe, 118-132 Saughton Rd N, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 7DR

1pm, LifeCare Edinburgh, Stockbridge, 2 Cheyne St, Edinburgh EH4 1JB

Royal Edinburgh Hospital’s Filmmakers in Residence

Since starting their residencies earlier this year, filmmakers Tomas Sheridan and Olwyn Carroll have been working with patients at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital through a programme of workshops, creative activities and one-to-one sessions.

From documentary filmmaking in The Hive to animation projects in the hospital library, their work is supporting creativity, storytelling and self-expression across the hospital community. We look forward to sharing more from the residencies as the projects continue to develop.

Welcoming our First Music Volunteer

This summer we were delighted to welcome our first Tonic Arts music volunteer, Cait Webb.

Using a beautifully crafted Romanesque harp, Cait has been performing regular sessions in the Dialysis Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, creating calming musical experiences for patients and staff.

The response has been so positive that plans are already underway to expand the programme to additional wards.

Tonic Exhibitions

Why not take a moment to explore one of our exhibitions across NHS Lothian?

Current exhibitions include:

Astley Ainslie: Looking Through a New Lens – Until 30 November 2026
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh: Out of the Blueprint – Until 28 October 2026
Royal Hospital for Children and Young People/Department of Clinical Neurosciences: Pressure, Light, Fire by Daniele Sambo – Until 3 November 2026
St John’s Hospital: Things Beyond Measure by Lindsay Hamilton – Until 30 September 2026
Western General Hospital: BOLD by Caroline Sikkenk – Until 30 October 2026
Western General Hospital: My Journey by the Renal Young Adult Service – Until 28 October 2026

Network News

Tonic Arts Network Event – Rescheduled

Our next Tonic Arts Network meeting, originally scheduled for 9 September, will now take place on 7 October 2026.

Time: 12.00pm to 1.00pm
Location: Online (Microsoft Teams)

Join the team to explore the benefits of incorporating nature-inspired art, craft and design into healthcare settings.

Save the Date

Our next network event will then taken place on 26 November. This will be a hybrid, festive themed, decoration making session.

Network members will receive a calendar invite for these sessions directly.