The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust has breathed new life into its diabetes unit through an innovative project that involved patients in redesigning the space. Vibrant murals by local artist Natasha Clutterbuck now brighten the unit, alongside delicate watercolour artworks created by diabetes patients themselves.
This transformation emerged from a comprehensive improvement programme shaped by the voices of service users. Dr Laura Rich, Diabetes and Endocrine Consultant and Young Adult Lead at RUH, teamed up with Diabetes UK to review services for young adults living with diabetes. With input from Aled Newton, Youth Coordinator at Together Type 1 Southwest, and the Diabetes UK Health Systems Change Team, the initiative focused on patient engagement to understand the priorities of young people, families, and carers.
Through workshops involving young leaders and patients, several enhancements were identified, including monthly check-in texts, self-booking appointments, improved transition information, and peer support events. A prominent area highlighted for improvement was the physical environment of the diabetes department.
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Following the review, Diabetes UK awarded a £5,000 grant to kick-start the redesign. Dr Rich enlisted the help of Art at the Heart, RUH’s in-house art team, which brought Natasha Clutterbuck on board. Natasha, known for her award-winning murals at the Dyson Cancer Centre, created a series titled “Precious Pollinators and the Wild River making Its Way out to Sea.” The mural invites visitors on a visual journey along a vibrant riverbank ecosystem, symbolising the precious nature of both pollinators and the lives of patients and staff within the unit.
Beyond her murals, Natasha led creative workshops where patients of all ages painted small-scale watercolours. These artworks, embodying personal experiences of living with diabetes, now adorn the corridor alongside the murals, enriching the space with authentic patient stories.
Dr Rich praised the collaborative effort, saying, “This project has completely transformed our diabetes department for the people we care for and our staff too. It has been a truly collaborative experience – involving patients from start to finish, and with the fantastic support of Diabetes UK, which has helped make all this possible.”
More improvements are planned after receiving additional funding from the Friends of the RUH, including a new mural depicting the river reaching the coast in the department’s waiting area. Feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the creative workshops and new environment as inspiring, therapeutic, and calming.
Diane Smith, Head of Type 1 Services at Diabetes UK, added, “We’re proud to have supported the RUH in transforming the diabetes unit into a more creative and welcoming space. By listening to feedback from young people living with diabetes and working closely with the RUH team, this project has made real improvements to how services are delivered and their environment.”
This project stands as a shining example of how creativity, collaboration, and lived experience can come together to enhance healthcare environments and services for everyone involved.