Artwork creates focus for patients
Date of release: 11 February 2025
An artist who worked on a project with Gynaecology staff at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital following her personal cancer experience has handed over two paintings to be displayed in the department.
Alexandra Hatfield wanted to bring some colour into the corridors, appreciating how nervous and frightened patients can be while they’re waiting to be seen, and provide a thought provoking focus at the same time.
She has been working as an artist in residence with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity’s Arts and Heritage Group, as part of the Care, Create, Conserve project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project is centred around arts and heritage activity, working with local communities.
“I have been in a patient’s shoes and know the department all too well after being diagnosed with cervical cancer when I was 29,” explained Alexandra, a former art teacher who is now co-founder of Saredon Studios in Cannock.
“While I knew something wasn’t right, just hearing the word cancer sent my mind into a dark place where I imagined the worst. But with the support of my family and the staff in Gynaecology I was able to get myself to a place where I wasn’t going to be defined by cancer, and I could make the treatment choices that were right for me.
“I opted against a hysterectomy as I wanted children, and I now have a four year old daughter Fern who means the world to me. My treatment involved lymph node removal and when my Consultant told me the tumour had been removed and there was no cancer in my womb or lymph nodes it was the best news. I think my own cancer experience has brought home to me even more how art can help our health and wellbeing and how important it is to do the things we love.”
For the paintings she produced, Alexandra, 35, looked at the work of herbologists in gynaecology before medical advances.
“I wanted to incorporate flowers with the speculum and colposcope featured in the paintings which I’ve gilded to show that they are precious items as they are vital for examination, leading to diagnosis and treatment – even though the
thought of them can make us anxious” she said.
“I hope the paintings give patients something to focus on when they’re in Gynaecology as I know how nervous and worried they feel, sat there waiting to be seen. I thoroughly enjoyed this project, working with staff as well as the Arts and Heritage Group, and I think it has highlighted how important a creative outlet can be in healthcare.”
Elinor Cole, Arts and Heritage Co-ordinator for the Trust, said the paintings would provide a focal and talking point in the department.
“It’s so interesting to hear how Alexandra drew inspiration from herbology to produce the works and it does remind us how the past has contributed to healthcare services in the present day,” she said.
“With her personal experience of cancer also shaping her approach, the paintings take on a poignancy and we thank Alexandra for her efforts on this project.”
Helen Rutter, Departmental Manager in Gynaecology Outpatients, added: “The paintings certainly brighten up our walls in Gynaecology and when Alexandra came in to hand them over it was fascinating to hear about the process that went into producing them. We wish her well as she continues to spread her passion for the therapeutic benefits of art.”
