Enhancing the healing environment at Campbeltown Hospital radiography department
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Endowment funding case study - enhancing care.
Identifying the need
In 2025, the radiography department at Campbeltown Hospital celebrated the completion of its brand-new x-ray facility, a significant investment that strengthened local healthcare provision and improved access for patients across the area. However, despite the new equipment and modern design, staff quickly noticed that the large walls within the new department were bare and clinical. The environment, while functional, lacked warmth.
Recognising that small environmental details can make a big difference in patient experience, the department sought to introduce artwork that reflected the beauty and character of the local area. This aesthetic improvement fell outside the remit of construction and NHS budgets, creating an opportunity for local charitable support to make a meaningful contribution.
The challenge on the ground
Patients attending the radiography department are often anxious, in pain, or feeling unwell. A sterile environment can heighten those feelings and make the hospital experience less positive. The challenge was to transform a blank, impersonal space into a welcoming and calming environment, one that could provide distraction, spark conversation, and remind patients of familiar local landscapes.
However, with NHS funds rightly prioritised for clinical equipment and patient care, there was no available budget for such aesthetic improvements. The team needed to find a creative, cost-effective solution that would deliver lasting benefit for both patients and staff.
How we responded
Through a £1,400 grant from the Charity, the Radiography Department was able to purchase a series of photographic prints. A local photographer was engaged to provide stunning images of the surrounding Campbeltown and Kintyre landscapes, scenes that hold special meaning for many of the hospital’s patients and staff.
The chosen photographs were professionally printed, framed, and installed across the radiography department’s wall spaces, including two placed prominently at the hospital’s main entrance. This collaboration with a local artist not only enhanced the hospital environment but also supported the local creative community.
The change we achieved
The transformation was immediate and warmly received. Patients and staff alike commented on how the images brought light, calm, and personality into the new space.
“The patients and staff absolutely love them,” said Carolyn, Specialist Radiographer. “It has made for such a calm and inviting environment which, when people are in pain or not feeling their best, has been a great distraction and conversation starter.”
The artwork has also provided unexpected emotional benefits, particularly for patients who may be housebound or unable to enjoy the local scenery.
“One of my patients pointed out that he doesn’t get out of the house, and it was so nice for him to see views of local places he hadn’t seen in a long time” Carolyn shared.
The journey ahead
The success of this small but meaningful project highlights the powerful impact that environment can have on patient wellbeing.
The project also stands as a reminder of how donations made and spent locally can make a tangible difference, supporting enhancements that, while outside the scope of core NHS budgets, greatly enrich the quality of care and the everyday experience of patients and staff alike.
