Dorset County Hospital patients taking up music during treatment
A programme's been led by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Nearly 300 patients at Dorset County Hospital have been turning to music as part of their treatment.
A programme led by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Arts in Hospitals has been visiting the stroke unit, children's department and elderly care ward for the last four months.
It's involved music making, singing and bedside recitals aimed at building connections to the outside world.
Therapists in the Stroke Unit have reported improved recovery through music-making, with physical activities that mimic everyday life, such as the shaking of maracas.
Staff working in the Children’s Ward have seen the impact of music in calming younger patients.
Older people and those with advanced dementia have taken part too, helping to ignite memories and conversations, connecting patients, their families, and staff.
The programme extends further across Dorset HealthCare sites in 2025, following its success.
Music-making at Dorset County Hospital will move into more wards – while also supporting patients with stroke rehabilitation at Sherborne’s Yeatman Hospital, and those with advanced dementia at Alderney Hospital in Poole.
Matthew Bryant, Chief Executive, Dorset HealthCare and Dorset County Hospital, said:
“We are pleased to be working with the BSO on this exciting project. Music is such an important part of everyday life for so many people, and we want to bring music and other creative arts into the healthcare environment to help healing and rehabilitation, and to make the hospital environment feel more normal. We can already see the positive impact of this for patients, families and staff – the difference the BSO musicians can make to how people feel is truly inspiring.”
Lucy Warren, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Joint Head of BSO Participate, said:
“We are proud to be working in close partnership with Dorset HealthCare, Arts in Hospital, and the incredible staff at Dorset County Hospital on this programme, which has created immediate and positive results within the hospital community. The live music-making in wards has relaxed young people and their families – and we’ve seen how singing has sparked memories and conversations for those living with dementia and offered both physical and emotional boosts to patients in rehabilitation in the Stroke Unit.
“We are thrilled to welcome violinist Alena Baeva to Dorchester - when she visits the UK later this month, to share her world-class music with staff, patients and families – and look forward to deepening our connection with the Hospital’s community through music.”