Above and Beyond Charities - The Charitable Trust for the United Bristol Hospitals

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust’s newly opened Bristol Heart Institute has won a prestigious Building Better Healthcare award for Best Use of Visual Art in Healthcare, having been shortlisted in three categories. The two other categories, for Best Hospital Design and Best Interior Design, both received commendations.

The award was presented by TV personality Hardeep Singh Koli to Bob Pepper, the Trust’s Director of Facilities and Estates, and to Joanna Espiner of arts consultancy Willis Newson, at a ceremony held at The Brewery in London yesterday, Thursday 12th November.

Now in its 11th year, the BBH Awards raise the bar in healthcare building design, by recognising and celebrating all the best achievers from across the field: the people, the products and the projects that have excelled at improving the healthcare environment during the past 12 months. Above & Beyond's Heart of Bristol Appeal funded the Arts Programme within the Institute and worked with artists such as Walter Jacks.

On winning the award, Bob Pepper said: “I am especially delighted that the work of the Trust has been recognised in this way. It brought together artists, staff who work in the building, patients, local school children and the Trust’s charity, Above and Beyond, who funded this arts initiative. It has really set a new standard for how we are improving the patient environment for the future.”


Dr Graham Rich, the Trust’s Chief Executive, adds: “It is well recognised that the environment is important in helping people get better. I think the use of visual arts in this impressive, modern hospital is great for patients and for staff.”

Click on our Heart of Bristol Appeal page to find out more about the artists and installatons.