The Arts, City and Health
Transvoyeur Charity Auction for Emergency Department at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
Researched and Written by Victoria Samantha Smith.
08 April 2007.

The international Liverpool based arts collective Transvoyeur are organising an charity art auction to raise funds and awareness of the Emergency Department at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. This is managed by Gaynor Evelyn Sweeney (UK Projects Co-ordinator/Artist) from Transvoyeur. Sweeney and the management group from Transvour are working in close collaboration with the Peter Burdett-Smith (Clinical Director), Tom Southern (Director of Fundraising), Mike Barker (Director of Communications), Claire Pritchard (Acting Matron) and Karen Curley (Acting Directorate Manager) from the Emergency Department.

The art has been donated for the auction by Transvoyeur artists and other local, national and international artists: Agata Alcaniz, Natalie Bennett, Chris Boyd, John Bridson, Pete Clarke, Michelle Campbell, Philip Chandler, Colin Davies, Rob D. Davies, Jo Derbyshire, Daiva Gauryte, Dorrie Halliday, Karen Henley, Ron Lee Jones, Tony Knox, George Lund, Neil Morris, Charles Nuttall, Patrick O’Rourke, Rachel Pearson, Daniel Remeta, Dean Royer, Catherine Shea, Jazamin Sinclair, Gary Sollars, Gaynor Evelyn Sweeney, Andrew Taylor, Sarah Townsend, Kevin Whittle, David Woods and Peter Worthington. Plus, more donations are coming in.

The event is supported by the View Two Gallery (Ken Martin (Proprietor/Director) and Sam Skinner (Exhibitions Co-ordinator) who are providing the space free for the auction. Roger Philips from the BBC is providing his time free too, as auctioneer to the event. Other support has been extended by Rennies, South Bohemia Art Gallery, C3 Imaging and Art in Liverpool Weblog to press and media.

Sweeney from Transvoyeur explains: “This project for Transvoyeur and similar minded artists is of personal and professional interest. As artists we try to contribute something back to the city. The Emergency Department itself at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital represents part of the core of the city, which supports all of us where live here. The work they do at the hospital is highly commendable and in some way we hope this project of the fund raiser helps. Moreover though, that it raises awareness of the exceptional work they do at the hospital�.

The fund raiser by Transvoyeur is a two fold project. The first stage is the auction and all monies raised go direct to the Emergency Department of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. The second part involves a collection of art being donated by various artists, which will be presented to the department for permanent display in their collection of art.

Peter Burdett-Smith, the Clinical Director of the Emergency Department explains further his role and the departments enthusiasm to the upcoming auction:

Smith: What is your role in the Emergency Department?

Burdett-Smith: I work as consultant, which involves managing all types of patients who present to the Emergency Department from minor injuries to serious illness and major trauma. I also have a supervising and educational role for the junior doctors and nurses in the department. In addition, I am currently head of department (clinical director) and have responsibility for strategic decisions, budget and recruitment for one of the busiest departments in the country.

Smith: How do you see the position of the Emergency Department in relationship to the city?

Burdett –Smith: There has been a hospital on this site for more than 100 years serving the needs of the local population. It is important that hospitals are within easy reach of the most needy and the Royal fulfils this role. We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to treat emergencies.

Smith: How do you feel about the proposed fund raiser of the art auction?

Burdett-Smith: This is a very exciting project for us as Emergency Departments don't often benefit from charity fundraising. Most funding seems to go to glamorous specialties like cardiology and neurosurgery which do great work, but people tend to forget that we treat 90,000 emergencies every year, some 250 every single day.

Smith: What are the opinions of the Department on this upcoming auction event?

Burdett-Smith: Everyone is buzzing with the idea of the fundraiser and we are all looking forward to the auction itself, which promises to be a great night.

Smith: The city is in a transition towards Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008. How do you see the hospitals role in terms of these changes?

Burdett-Smith: To be honest, we have had very little involvement in the capital of culture plans. Everyone who works in the department is very proud of the city's achievement but from a practical point of view, I expect the large numbers of visitors that have been predicted will mean more work for us!

Smith: What is the relationship with arts and culture to the hospital, your department and your own professional role?

Burdett-Smith: There is good evidence that art helps to create a healing environment. The Royal is somewhat behind some of the London hospitals in achieving this but there are examples in the hospital. I was involved with Julia Midgely when she was artist in residence some years ago and some of her work is displayed in various departments. Unfortunately this does not include our own but I hope this event will change that.

Smith: A series of art will be also donated to your department for permanent exhibition at various areas of the Emergency Department. How do you feel this will benefit the hospital environment?

Burdett-Smith: As mentioned, I am sure that art contributes to a healing environment. Many patients who attend the ED are in pain or distressed and anything we can do to alleviate this is to be welcomed. I am also hoping to be able to display some of the work in the staff areas as they are the backbone of the department and deserve some recognition.

Smith: What do you hope to realise from the art auction event yourself for the department?

Burdett-Smith: We have no idea as to the amount of funds this initiative may raise but I have a list of equipment that the staff have put together that would benefit our patients. As a spin off, I am hoping that this will raise the profile of the ED and continue the good work that the two series of 'Trauma' on the BBC did last year. Emergency Services can sometimes feel a bit taken for granted and it is nice to have some recognition for all our hard work.

Smith: What is the current status of the Emergency Department?

Burdett-Smith: The ED is in very good shape as a result of the recent investment in the health service by the government. We are managing large numbers of patients much more rapidly and with better facilities than 5 years ago. Our main problem is that the numbers of patients attending is constantly increasing. We are now seeing 10,000 more people per year than 5 years ago which makes hitting waiting targets difficult.

The Transvoyeur Charity Auction in Aid of the Emergency Department will be held on Thursday 3rd May 2007, 19.00 - 21.00 at the View Two Gallery, Mathew Street, Liverpool. From 2nd April there is an online catalogue to view the artwork before the auction. Further information is available from www.transvoyeur.co.uk