NHS artwork - 'The answer is not to do away with them all'

Beautiful paintings hanging on the walls could hardly be described as an essential part of the work of the NHS.

An outstanding work of art won't increase anyone's chances of survival, no matter how much it might lift their spirits.

They also won't inspire medics to treat any more patients, even though they might help put a spring in their step.

But do we want our hospitals to be soulless places with nothing of interest to break up the monotonous white of the institutional walls?

The 35 a year which the city-based Art in Healthcare charity charges to cover the cost of providing a donated work by one of the country's leading artists seems on the surface to be a bargain.

But when you multiply that by the number of corridors in Lothian hospitals then you quickly start to see how you can run up a bill of thousands of pounds.

The answer is not to do away with them altogether, even though NHS Lothian is clearly right to cut such non-essential spending at a time when it is being forced to axe more than 330 nursing posts.

When so many outstanding Scottish artists are willing to donate works to hospitals, why can't existing NHS administrators make their own arrangements?

Otherwise the sad reality is that Art in Healthcare will have to find a way of cutting its annual running costs of up to 80,000, perhaps by brokering a merger similar to the one that created the charity in the first place.

Whatever happens to this much-admired charity, it is to be hoped some way can be found to continue its uplifting work.

Cashing in

The volunteers who organise gala days, activities for local children and support for the vulnerable are the lifeblood of our communities.

But there is a limit to what they can do without the means to turn their ideas and enthusiasm into tangible results.

That is why the Evening News is proud to have played its part in distributing 50,000 of Comic Relief Community Cash to grassroots groups in the Capital.

Times are extremely tough for these voluntary organisations, especially with insurance bills soaring for public events, and their needs for expertise and advice as much as for money must not be forgotten.

Well done to all those whose bids have won them grants of up to 1000 today and good luck with your events and activities.