We have teamed up with up with our patient partners – who have been affected by cancer - and students of the MA Illustration and Visual Media course at the London College of Communication, University of the Arts London (UAL), to develop a series of artwork that will be displayed in the waiting areas of cancer outpatient clinics across South East London.
The 15 pieces of artwork - which we have commissioned - displays a range of vibrant, joyful and calming images to help create a more appealing and welcoming environment for cancer patients and their families.
In 2024, we set up a working group to improve the waiting room experience for cancer patients who attend outpatient hospital clinics for their regular care appointments. The working group – which consisted of local cancer patients and staff – agreed that patients often need to wait for several hours in outpatient clinics as their cancer care often involves multiple appointments or tests on the same day, leaving many feeling anxious and stressed.
The group also agreed that these images, which would capture the attention of patients and their families, would also we used as spaces to signpost patients to local support services around emotional and physical wellbeing.
This year, cancer patients from the working group – including Jon – met face-to-face with five master’s students and their teachers to share their experiences of cancer and provide recommendations for the artwork, whilst also giving the students the flexibility and freedom to be creative.
Five cancer care themes were agreed for the artwork pieces. These included:
- Peer support,
- Patient information,
- Patient involvement,
- Managing the physical effects of cancer,
- Emotional support.
Jon, who was involved in the development of the artwork pieces after receiving cancer treatment at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We were so lucky to find a group of talented and enthusiastic students who listened to us as patients and then brought their own experiences of cancer to the work. Artistic tastes will always vary but between us all - patients, professionals and artists - I think we have ended up with work that will brighten the day for any hospital visitor.”
Sara Akhavan, an MA Illustration & Visual Media student at the London College of Communication, added: “Working on this project was profoundly moving for me, both as an illustrator and as someone who has personally faced health challenges. Creating art for a hospital setting and connecting with the lovely patients allowed me to channel my own experiences into something that could bring comfort, hope and joy. It reminded me how powerful art can be, not just as decoration, but as a way to heal, inspire, and make people feel seen during some of their most challenging moments.”
The 15 pieces of artwork will be displayed across our three NHS Trusts (Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust) from October 2025.
When installed, each art piece will have an accompanying label that will signpost patients and their families to support services and resources, including our cancer services map: https://www.selca.nhs.uk/patients-and-carers/cancer-services-map