Page 14 - NKF-KL-issue-14-Autumn-2016-for-web

I work be active
as a music engagement.
therapist for Offering the
Nordoff Robbins - the opportunity for
largest independent music patients to play
therapy charity in the UK. Music and sing was
Therapy is a state registered health something to be
profession. In order to practice, therapists done carefully. It is every
require successful completion of an accredited patient’s right to have the opportunity to be
course (Master of Music Therapy - MMT). Music Therapy creative, to express themselves, to enjoy themselves and
does not claim to ‘cure’ or ‘heal’ medical conditions. It to have a positive effect on the environment of the ward.
seeks to offer people a way to experience their situation However it is also every patient’s right to have peace and
differently, which in turn can lead to very positive to be allowed to rest when they need to.
changes in their life.

Music Amongst The Machines

Music therapy supports people living with a wide Patients’ comments reflect the benefits they have
range of needs. Research in Canada by Dr Lilian Eyre experienced.
concluded that music therapy was helpful in relieving “the morale of everyone goes up, everyone enjoyed
anxiety, altering mood and relieving pain for dialysis themselves and started talking to each other
patients. (Medical music therapy and kidney diseases including after the session - people are always talking
- 2008). However, there appeared to be no dedicated about it.”
music therapy service in any renal care setting in the UK.
“live music is different from the radio. You feel better
As a music therapist who is also a former dialysis patient during the session... and then you look forward to
and a recipient of a successful kidney and pancreas next week.”
transplant I felt a responsibility to address that situation.
“It’s like if you’d walked into a lunchtime music
Conversations with Dr Neil Duncan (Lead Consultant) venue... I am not at liberty to access music in the
and Sister Claire Edwards (Head Nurse) from Imperial community easily, so this gives me that.”
College Trust, led to a 6-week pilot music therapy project
Positive patient response to the pilot project led to
at Northwick Park Hospital Dialysis unit (NPH). NPH has
the continuation of the service which has now run
a large dialysis ward with 62 beds for patients of different
successfully for 18 months. Some patients have learned
ages and different ethnic backgrounds. Many patients
or relearned to play an instrument. Some spend their
have additional health issues and all have different non-dialysis days finding and learning new songs to bring
experiences of dialysis. We believe one of our patients or learn songs other patients know so that they can sing
has been living with dialysis longer than anyone else in together. The enthusiastic attitude of the staff has been
the UK – he is now in his 40th year. key to the success of this work. The value that they give
Active involvement of clients in music making with the to patients’ music typifies their interest in all aspect of
therapist is central to the Nordoff Robbins approach the patients’ lives. It also affirms the belief of all Nordoff
to music therapy. This includes singing, playing an Robbins therapists that music making is a most natural
instrument, moving or dancing. Listening can also thing to do and central to our human existence.
14 Autumn 2016 www.kidney.org.uk HELPLINE 0845 601 02 09