Public arts consultation at Tameside Hospital

Date published: 07/03/2010

Public and staff members of Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust were recently invited to give their opinions about the art work that will be displayed in the new hospital building.

35 people attended the Arts Consultation including doctors, nurse and non-clinical staff as well as the public and representatives from the Peoples Art Gallery in Stalybridge and the Stroke Association. Selections of artwork images from other hospital projects were displayed and attendees were invited to choose ideas they would like to see in the new hospital building when it opens later this year.

A mosaic has been specially commissioned by Groundwork to represent the ten townships of Tameside and Glossop. Attendees were asked to give location ideas from the local area, which included Hartshead Pike in Ashton, Longdendale Parish church, Glossop viaduct and Werneth Low Cenotaph in Hyde. The mosaic will be placed in a garden of contemplation, construction of which is due to begin later this month. It is also intended that the image from the mosaic will be used elsewhere on the hospital site.

Gillian Parker, Health Investment in Tameside project director said;” It is very important that we involve as many local people as possible in the selection of the artwork, the new building is intended for local people and should reflect the themes that are meaningful to them “.

Other ideas included reproductions of popular artists work, and one attendee even suggested that she would like to see poetry readings in the new reception area!

The event was part of a series held by the ENTHUSE programme at Tameside Hospital, an initiative created to involve the local community in the hospital’s future.

If you are interested or want to get involved further, we are currently looking for photographs to represent the areas served by the hospital, which will be projected on to the walls of the new building when it opens in December 2010.

Digital photographs are the best way to submit photographs as these can then be reproduced in their original quality. Please send your photos to membership@tgh.nhs.uk, and don’t forget to include your name and contact details!