Manchester Camerata Four Piece Orchestra in full swing at an Air Products sponsored Patient Forum.

Music has long been renowned for its therapeutic benefits, and at a recent Patient Forum in Liverpool, England, Air Products decided to bring something special to our North West England patients. Musicians from Manchester Camerata (www.manchestercamerata.com) performed a number of classical pieces at the Forum as well as spending time with patients and discussing the health benefits music can give.

Involving musicians in this way is reminiscent of activities in post-World War I and II Britain. Community musicians – both professional and amateur – visited veteran hospitals all over the country and played music to thousands of patients. It was also around this time that Air Products first placed a bottle of oxygen in a patient's home, providing one of the first homecare oxygen therapies in Europe.

Declan Weldon, general manager Healthcare, UK & Ireland, commented, "We hold Patient Forums all over England and Wales as this gives our patients an opportunity to talk with members of the team, including our trained medical staff; learn about product advancement; and have the chance to talk to other oxygen users about their experiences. It’s our aim to give our patients the best possible service, and we are always looking at new ways to achieve this. Involving Manchester Camerata musicians in one of our Patient Forums seemed an innovative way of giving our patients something special, particularly given the proven benefits of music to wellness."

Members of the local fire brigade were also on hand at the Patient Forum to talk and give demonstrations on fire safety in the home.