News

Our Future Hospital and CW Innovation programmes explore the latest innovations in technology within an Arts in Health setting. Stemming from our hugely successful and award winning Relax Digital project, we are now developing this work into a more immersive, personal experience for the patient through the use of Virtual Reality (VR).

We have facilitated three exciting VR studies at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital. These include a trial in Children’s A&E, monitoring the impact of VR on anxiety and pain levels; a Sleep Study in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU), evaluating the effect of VR on sleep quality in the ICU environment; and a Cardiac Catheter Lab study (CLeVR) evaluating the effect of VR in the Cath Labs on anxiety, stress, pain and reducing the risk of spasm. These innovative ongoing studies combine clinical observation, patient questionnaires and clinician lead research, with a bespoke VR kit and data collection equipment provided by CW+ in partnership with DR.VR.

As part of this project, we commissioned 10 unique and creative films by FlixFilms, of content filmed in various locations in and around London to provide a welcome and familiar distraction to patients. This content can be viewed by the patient through the DR.VR headset, allowing them to become fully immersed in new surroundings and providing a welcome distraction from what can often be a stressful clinical environment.

Content includes a Thames Clipper Experience, Clapham Common, Richmond Deer Experience, a lake in the Pennines, Cornwall Beach, and a Canal Boat experience. We were also delighted to collaborate with The Serpentine Gallery and Pavilion, The Wallace Collection and the Chelsea Physic Garden who generously allowed us to film special content on site, specific to our VR project.

“At Chelsea Physic Garden we have been connecting people with the power of plants for almost 350 years. As we become increasingly distant from nature, we are aware of this power not just as individual specimens, but collectively as a green space to escape to in the heart of London. In this digital age we are keen to explore how we can use digital tools to take the Garden out beyond our walls. By working with CW+ we have been able to achieve just that. This project to capture spaces within the Garden and translate them into immersive VR landscapes means that more people can escape to our Garden and enjoy the benefits of nature – when travelling here may present barriers. We are delighted to partner with such an innovative and creative team, and are sure there is plenty more scope to digitise Chelsea Physic Garden.” – Frances Sampayo, Chelsea Physic Garden