Artwork supplied by a Bradford graphics company is brightening the lives of young patients at a London hospital.

Laisterdyke-based Vision Signs & Graphics has supplied and installed precision-cut self-adhesive vinyl shapes for a new ‘Friendly Forest’ wall mural created by London-based artist Donna Wilson in the children’s emergency department in St George’s Hospital, Tooting.

The initiative was led by Belinda Harward, arts director at St George's Healthcare NHS Trust, and funded by Arts St George’s to promote a therapeutic and healing environment by bringing art and live events to patient, public and staff spaces.

Belinda said: “It’s a very long corridor, which was previously painted white – an area of blank space that families, children in particular, found daunting. It’s also an extremely busy area, with more than 37,000 children attending the emergency department in a typical year.

“Many are agitated and find it difficult to concentrate on anything for long and, because the youngest children cannot explain their symptoms, parents will also be anxious.”

New Vision was also involved in a similar project at Bradford Royal Infirmary last year to redevelop two wards using design and artwork to improve the hospital environment for acute elderly care patients suffering from dementia.

Managing director Stephen Duff said: “We are currently talking to other UK hospitals and NHS trusts with a view to undertaking similar arts-related initiatives.”