Time Being: difficulties in integrating arts in health

Abstract

A programme of `arts as healthcare', Time Being (TB), was established and delivered as arts on prescription (AoP) by Healing Arts on the Isle of Wight over the period October 2002—March 2005. Its aim was to demonstrate and identify the benefits arising to an individual's health as a result of participation in structured creative programmes and activity, with the objective of the programme becoming part of the locally commissioned NHS services of the primary care trust. Evaluation and testimony from participants demonstrate the impact creativity has in contributing to the improvement in health of an individual and the individual's appreciation and understanding of their own health. The response to the evaluation by the commissioning sector of the NHS, primary care trust, indicates the difficulties and reluctance of this sector to embrace and commission arts in health programmes. The conclusion is that providers such as Healing Arts are required to undertake further detailed cost—benefit, cash—efficiency, and quantified health—gain analysis on the role of arts and creativity as part of healthcare for it to become integrated into NHS healthcare delivery.

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