Tonic Arts: Winter Round Up

Bringing Colour, Comfort and Creativity to NHS Lothian This Winter. By Susan Grant and Len McCaffer

As winter eases and brighter days begin to show, we’ve been reflecting on the inspiring creative work taking place across NHS Lothian. From enhancing clinical spaces to immersive sensory experiences on hospital wards, our work continues to bring colour, comfort and moments of joy to patients, staff and visitors.

Here’s a look at what’s been happening, and what’s coming next.

Enhancing Care Environments Across NHS Lothian

Acute Medical Assessment Unit, Western General Hospital

We’re delighted to have supported the transformation of five previously bare patient bedrooms in the Acute Medical Assessment Unit at the Western General Hospital. Through gentle redecoration and calming vinyl artworks on walls and windows, these once stark rooms now offer a more comforting and dignified environment.

Often used during some of the most challenging stages of a patient’s journey—including acute illness and end of life care—these spaces now reflect the care and sensitivity these moments deserve. Thoughtful designs and uplifting colours help support not only patients, but also families spending time with loved ones.

With thanks to Bespoke Atelier, KDR Projects and Trident Painting and Decorating, whose work has helped bring these rooms to life. Designs originally commissioned for ELCH are now part of our surface design library and can be used across multiple sites.

Neonatal and Postnatal Ward Enhancements, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

An exciting new enhancement project is now underway within the Neonatal Unit (NNU) and Postnatal wards at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Artist Kimberly Carpenter has been commissioned, and the project has entered its first phase of staff engagement. Early conversations have already provided valuable insight. Postnatal staff highlighted a desire for joyful, bold yet gentle colour palettes, while colleagues in NNU leaned towards soft, calming tones with subtle animal and child friendly elements.

These conversations are shaping the creative direction of the project as it moves into the design development phase. We’re looking forward to sharing more as the work progresses.

Organ Donation Memorial, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

Work is underway on a new memorial at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh to honour organ and tissue donors.

The project group has been formed, the artist brief finalised, and artists and creative practitioners have been invited to submit expressions of interest for the first stage of the commission. Delivered in partnership with the NHS Lothian Organ Donation Committee and Round Table Projects, the memorial will provide a thoughtful and lasting tribute to donors and their families.

Children and Young People: Crichton Unit and Theatre Wards

We’re pleased to share another early glimpse of bespoke vinyl designs planned for the Crichton Unit and Theatre Wards. Covering 568 square metres, these designs are due for installation in April 2026.

It’s been exciting to see the project develop, and we look forward to sharing the full installation once complete.

Children & Young People’s Mental Health (CAMHS, Midlothian and East Lothian)

Bright, child friendly furniture, signage and wall treatments are now being installed in CAMHS waiting rooms in Musselburgh and Penicuik.

These enhancements aim to create more welcoming, supportive environments for children, young people and their families. New furniture and refreshed wall and door treatments help establish calmer, more engaging spaces—designed with the needs of young patients firmly in mind. More updates to follow.

New Projects Taking Shape

Alongside these enhancements, we’ve been scoping a wide range of new bespoke commissions across NHS Lothian. These include early engagement work around the Western General canteen, the RIE fertility counselling room, and a wellbeing space at HM Prison.

We look forward to sharing more as these projects develop.

Tonic Exhibitions: Art in Hospital Spaces

Our ongoing exhibition programme continues to bring vibrant and inspiring artworks into hospital spaces across NHS Lothian, supporting calmer and more uplifting environments for patients, staff and visitors.

Featured Exhibition: RSA 200 – Art for Health

We’re delighted to be collaborating with arts organisations across Scotland as part of the Royal Scottish Academy’s RSA200: Celebrating Together programme.

As part of this anniversary celebration, the RSA200: Art for Health exhibition series brings curated artworks into hospital environments nationwide. We’re thrilled to be hosting one of the first exhibitions at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, showcasing work by RSA Academicians, New Contemporaries, Award Winners and Exhibitors.

The exhibition explores themes known to support wellbeing in healthcare – Identity, Place, Nature and Colour – and highlights the role visual art can play in reducing anxiety and supporting recovery. It opens at the start of April in the Tonic Gallery outside OPD 4, and we’d love for you to visit.

Participation and Live Arts: Creativity in Action

Trolleydarity

One of our most joyful programmes, Trolleydarity: Scratch n Sniff Staycation for the Discerning Static Traveller, continues to travel.
Developed in partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland, Trolleydarity recently visited St John’s Hospital, bringing sound, scent and storytelling directly to patients’ bedsides. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with patients and staff enjoying immersive experiences that transport them to new places—without leaving the ward.

The programme’s impact was recognised when the Trolleydarity team were Highly Commended in St John’s Hospital’s Team of the Month for February 2026.

Royal Edinburgh Hospital Filmmakers in Residence

The REH Filmmakers in Residence recently presented their work at the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival Conference in Glasgow, attended by over 150 participants including REH staff.

Thanks to funding from the Baring Foundation and Screen Scotland, we’re pleased to announce a further Filmmaker in Residence programme launching in June 2026, culminating in a symposium at the Filmhouse in October 2027.

Scottish Opera Chorus

After ten weeks of rehearsals, 45 NHS Lothian staff joined the Scottish Opera Orchestra, Glasgow Chorus and Youth Chorus to perform songs from Red Nose, a new musical, alongside festive choral pieces at the Scottish Opera rehearsal studio in Glasgow.

Festival Sessions and Festive Concerts

Our EIF Festival Sessions return for 2026, beginning on Tuesday 14 April at St John’s Hospital. These short lunchtime performances bring musicians from the Edinburgh International Festival directly into hospital spaces for patients and staff to enjoy.

Our festive concerts in partnership with the EIF also proved hugely popular last December, reaching around 250 patients, staff and visitors across three hospital sites. A highlight came at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital’s Hive, where patients joined the chorus and helped conduct the choir for a joyful finale.

Tonic Collection: Art Across NHS Lothian

Our art collection continues to grow, thanks to the support of staff who request artworks and share valuable feedback.

Recent highlights include over 50 artworks installed across sites such as the RIE Link Bridge, Royal Edinburgh Hospital Wellbeing Suite, St John’s staff wellbeing rooms, and Duncan Street Dental Clinic. Priority projects are underway, along with several new acquisitions and commissions.

The response has been incredibly positive:

“Thank you, I love this artwork, this really brings me so much joy.” – Patient

“We are really loving having our walls look happier, many folk have mentioned this.” – Staff member

We’re also hugely grateful to our collection volunteers, who have already audited over 100 artworks across NHS Lothian sites.