The Spitz Fill Ealing Hospital with Music


Band plays to patients during Dementia Action Week

The Spitz play at Ealing Hospital
The Spitz play at Ealing Hospital

May 17, 2023

The sound of music echoed through the corridors of Ealing Hospital this week as The Spitz aimed to raise (and the roof) as part of Dementia Action Week.

The collective, who regularly perform at residential homes, hospices and hospitals and entertained staff and patients with a two-person combo playing guitar double bass.

Dementia Action Week runs from 15 to 21 May and this year the Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging individuals and their families to seek a timely diagnosis and avoid reaching crisis point.

Alex Lukjaniec, Matron for Older People and Dementia Services, said, “It’s lovely to see people’s faces light up when the musicians come on the wards and start playing. People are just drawn to the music and everyone had a good dance. It really lifted everyone’s spirits.”

At present, around 25% of all hospital admissions have dementia in north-west London and there is increasing evidence that music can play a key role in treatment.

A number of trials show the benefits of music but there is growing evidence to suggest that music is beneficial for improving psychological symptoms such as depression, agitation or aggression. This allows a therapy to be provided at little or no cost to patients and the NHS.

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