A Wimborne artist has donated an original painting to help improve hospital experiences for those visiting Dorset Cancer Centre.
Richard Watkin has donated his painting of Chesil beach to mark the opening of the new state-of-the-art linear accelerator at Poole Hospital.
The new machine is part of a £1.7 million investment programme designed to replace the hospital’s oldest linear accelerators. This investment means less disruption, shorter waiting times, and an increase in the number of patients able to receive treatment.
Patients and staff named the machine Chesil earlier this year.
The artwork was unveiled on 8 November with a special celebration attended by Angus Wood, Medical Director, Richard and hospital staff.
Medical Director, Dr Angus Wo
od said: “We are extremely grateful to Richard for donating this artwork which will now be displayed in the Cancer Centre for everyone to enjoy.
“The Centre deals with around 36,000 radiotherapy attendances every year, which makes it one of the busiest in the country.
“The celebration was a great opportunity to thank Richard and to mark the installation of this new equipment.”
Richard studied art at the Cambridge Institute and taught in schools around the UK. Retiring from teaching in 2011 he achieved his ambition of painting full time from his studio in Wimborne.
Richard said: “I was really pleased to be approached and hope my work will help make the waiting area into a homely, friendly place.”
The Dorset Cancer Centre is the major specialist cancer treatment centre for adults in the county. The centre provides a wide range of treatments including radiotherapy and chemotherapy.