Amazing art installations praised by the Duke of Gloucester during visit to Royal Derby Hospital
The incredible art installations at Royal Derby Hospital took centre stage as His Royal Highness Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, visited the hospital yesterday (Wednesday 20 October).
The Duke of Gloucester spokes to our ISS colleagues, including hospital cleaners, porters and catering staff, as well as visiting staff in Theatres, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the Discharge Assessment Unit during his visit.
His Royal Highness also unveiled a new piece of art which will take pride of place in our ICU garden. The Duke of Gloucester also took time to plant a ceramic daisy in the staff memorial garden in memory of all of those colleagues we have lost during the pandemic.
Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Councillor Robin Wood, Mayor of Derby and MP for Derby North Amanda Solloway also joined His Royal Highness on his visit.
UHDB’s arts charity, Air Arts, which works to improve health and wellbeing through arts and participation, was central to His Royal Highness’ visit. During the tour, the Duke of Gloucester was able to see some of the many art installations across Royal Derby Hospital and gave them his royal approval.
The new artwork to be added to the ICU garden was created by E J Lance, who has already seen her creations come to life at various locations around the hospital site. It is not the first time that E J Lance’s work have received royal recognition however, as she has formerly had pieces of art displayed at an exhibition in Buckingham Palace.
She said: “It’s a bit overwhelming really, but that’s a reflection on what the work is and what it represents more than anything. It was lovely to meet the Duke of Gloucester and to answer his insightful questions about my work.”
For the final part of his visit, the Duke of Gloucester planted a new ceramic daisy in the staff memorial garden with ‘Thank You NHS’ etched into one of its leaves outside the Discharge Assessment Unit, which was designed and created by artist Elaine Lim-Newton.
Each ceramic plant has been hand-crafted and designed by Elaine to commemorate a UHDB colleague who has sadly passed away. These sculptures are then planted in the garden for staff to remember and pay their respects to friends and colleagues. 
Elaine said that she was honoured to see her work recognised by a member of the Royal Family:
“As an artist, you never quite know where your work will end up, so to have this opportunity is unusual and very exciting and to have the Duke of Gloucester plant one of my sculptures is amazing.
“This daisy is different to all of the other flowers in the garden as it is in memory of all staff. I am so very proud of the garden and how it has grown over the last few years, and it’s even more special to see the staff making use of it.”
Laura Waters, Head of Arts at Air Arts, added: “It was an amazing visit from His Royal Highness and to have Air Arts central to that was a real privilege. The way that art has become embedded into the Trust and how it has supported staff during the pandemic, like our wonderful gardens, is wonderful to see.
“I’d also like to commend E J Lance and Elaine for their work, too, as the level of artistry in both projects is absolutely phenomenal.”