Children's art “bursting with colour” brings joy to ICU staff at St Bartholomew’s
Artwork from the children of intensive care unit (ICU) staff and their colleagues at St Bartholomew’s Hospital has been used to “brighten up” PPE donning and doffing areas and boost morale.
When the Covid-19 ICU wards were established at the hospital, members of staff from the psychological services including Dr Anna Bakowski, Dr Vicky Kelly, Dr Francesca Sawer and Dr Anna MacLehose relocated within clinic five so they could support staff.
Dr Anna Bakowski, clinical psychologist at the Barts Heart Centre at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, said: “We spent the initial week finding out how staff were getting on and what they needed to help them feel more settled.
“Many staff were feeling understandably anxious and out of their comfort zone.
“This was exacerbated for many staff as they were redeployed from their usual roles to cover intensive care.”
Anna and ITU nurse Geri Salmons decided that children’s art would help bring some brightness and positivity to the areas.
“It’s really lovely to see people's faces light up when they see the great work that we have on display and continues to arrive each day,” said Anna.
“We also have a tree of hope on the corridor near the staff changing rooms, which charts the hospital’s Covid-19 journey, and we’re asking staff to write messages on the leaves.”
Neighbours of some of the team have set up WhatsApp groups calling on parents to ask their children if they’d like to contribute artwork.
Geri said: “I am very proud that everyone has come out to support our NHS and value the work that we do.
“I found three pictures on my doorstep with a batch of homemade shortbread a few days after asking my neighbours for contributions. The artists are Asia who is around 12 years old and Theron who is around seven and has autism.
“I have bought them both colouring books and crayons and some stickers to say thank you.”
She added: “It is very difficult for people outside an ICU environment to understand the emotional pressures we face every day, but hopefully the pictures will remind staff why we are here and how important each individual is to the team effort.
“Children are a great leveller when you are dealing with distressing situations at work and can help calm staff before their shift.”
You can view a selection of the artwork below.
