New hospital exhibition features unseen NHS heroes
A new portrait exhibition at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital has been unveiled of the unseen heroes of healthcare. The display showcases NHS staff who do not have patient contact, but whose role is essential in helping clinical colleagues to keep providing care to patients.
The display includes photos of staff who often work behind the scenes including cleaners, laundry staff, medical engineers and estates officers for example. These services and individuals can sometimes be forgotten or hidden and this exhibition of portraits looks to bring them into the open, as the everyday heroes that they are.
The photographs were taken on traditional film, developed and printed by Nick Vallotton, a Senior Research Nurse based at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
Nick said: “I have always been interested in portraits and people’s work environments. We spend a lot of time at work and we often define ourselves by our job. My idea was to represent people that don’t have patient contact as these members of staff are often overlooked. My colleagues in this collection are crucial to the hospital and there are, of course, many more not captured here.
“I have been a nurse in this Trust for 20 years and so it’s also been good to meet colleagues who have been here for many years too.”
Mark Pietroni Interim Chief Executive, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “This exhibition shines a spotlight on the importance of non-clinical roles and the value they bring to our hospitals. They really are part of the Gloucestershire hospitals family and none of us can do our jobs without the support of others. I am also delighted that Nick, one of own nurses has personally curated this and it makes it all the more special.”
Keith Hamer, Managing Director for Gloucestershire Managed Services that run the estates and facilities function at Gloucestershire Hospitals said: “It’s great that estates and facilities staff have been recognised in this way. There are over 800 staff in this group who work across both Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals and we pride ourselves on offering an exceptional service to help keep the hospitals working smoothly.”
The portrait exhibition can be viewed in the high-footfall area of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital near to the Tower Block lifts, Maternity and Fosters Restaurant.