Cardiac Outpatients, Evelina 1+

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust

An Artic-themed Ice-breaker

In Cardiac Outpatients, we produced an interior art & design scheme for children who’ve had heart surgery, or who are preparing for it. Children coming here will have profoundly important conversations and check-ups, and the environment needs to do everything it can to inspire trust and reassurance. 

As families enter the department corridors, they are greeted with playful gigantic mazes to explore– featuring illustrations from artist Andy Goodman.

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Doors line the corridor, opening to echocardiogram rooms. Each of these features an artwork of an Arctic animal, with fun facts to calm nerves as children cross the threshold. This also gives clinicians an Arctic-themed ice-breaker to start conversations.

Once children have entered the room, doctors dim the lights to semi darkness in order to conduct their echocardiogram scan – a scary prospect! We integrated a series of playful wall mazes in fluorescent paint, which provide glowing distraction during assessments, adding another layer of friendliness to the doctor-patient interaction.

Praise for Evelina 1+

“The team at Art in Site ensured that they understood the experiences of children and their parents going through cardiac surgery and have managed to integrate the art and environment into the very essence of the ward and as such supporting and enhancing the clinical pathway.” 

- Aaron Bell, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist, Evelina London

Praise for Evelina 1+

“People have said how bright and beautiful it is. Children go around the walls following the images and tracing them. They have used the Evelina colours everywhere which is great. Parents who have come to us before so know what it was like previously say it’s amazing and was worth the wait”

- Matron, Allergy Services

Praise for Evelina 1+

“The work is bespoke, and the themes are really appropriate. The environment makes so much difference to how you feel… it’s so special.”

- Specialist Consultant, Cardiologist

Praise for Evelina 1+

“I feel very special to have been part of the journey. The nurses, they also remember that they were involved… it means we’re able to promote it and talk about it as a particularly special project…. I am proud of it, what we achieved as a team, learning about it and doing it for the first time has been a special experience.”

- – Head of Nursing, Outpatients and Neonatology

This case study is part of the wider “Evelina 1+” project – featuring seven departments incorporating art, interior design, playful journeys, storytelling, & digital interactions. See Projects for all Evelina 1+ case studies.

The artwork has been supported by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, which helps create a world-class environment for patients, staff and visitors at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Find out more at www.supportgstt.org.uk.

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Date 2021

Sector Healthcare

Service Children's, Cardiac Outpatients (heart health consultation and diagnostics)

Commissioned Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Trust

Artist Art in Site, Andy Goodman

User Group Children & Families

Awards Building Better Healthcare Awards 2021, Winner, Best Interior Design Project – refurbishment

European Healthcare Design Awards 2021 Highly Commended, Interior Design & the Arts