Those of us who know dialysis well understand that the hours spent in the chair each week are not simply a medical inconvenience. They are a significant part of life, sometimes four or five hours at a time, several days a week, every week. Finding ways to make that time meaningful rather than simply endured is something MRIKPA members often talk about. A new initiative launched in March 2026 by NHS Highland is taking a thoughtful approach to exactly that challenge, through a programme called Art on Dialysis.
What is the Art on Dialysis initiative at Raigmore Hospital?
Reported by the Inverness Courier in March 2026, the Art on Dialysis project has launched at the renal unit of Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, run by NHS Highland. The year-long pilot introduces an artist in residence into the hospital’s renal unit, working alongside patients to explore creative activities tailored to their individual interests and physical capacity during treatment sessions.
The project was made possible through a legacy donation from Christine Mackay, a former dialysis patient at Raigmore who understood from personal experience just how long and repetitive those treatment hours could be. Her husband Nicholas is reported as welcoming the initiative warmly, saying the idea was first put forward by Dr Stewart Lambie, Christine’s consultant for many years. The Inverness Courier also notes that the programme is supported by NHS Highland Charity and developed in partnership with High Life Highland and Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, with the project expected to culminate in a public exhibition of patient-created work.
You can read the full original article from the Inverness Courier here: NHS Highland dialysis art initiative at Raigmore Hospital aims to ease long wait during treatment sessions.
Why creative wellbeing matters for dialysis patients
The piece quotes Grace McInnes, a patient at the Raigmore renal unit, who attends twice weekly for sessions of four and a half hours each: “Art sessions would be creative and challenging and distract from dialysis treatment. It will be good to have the opportunity to express ourselves and to work with an experienced artist-in-residence.” That sentiment will resonate with many MRIKPA members who rely on dialysis as part of their ongoing care.
Ashley Powell, Advanced Nurse Specialist in Renal Supportive and Palliative Care at NHS Highland, described the thinking behind the project: the report explains that while clinical care remains the priority, recognising the emotional dimension of long-term dialysis is essential. Research into arts in healthcare consistently points to reductions in anxiety, improvements in mood, and greater sense of personal agency among patients who engage in creative activity during treatment. For people living with kidney failure and managing the physical and emotional weight of regular dialysis, even small shifts in how that time feels can make a real difference to quality of life.
Anything that helps patients find moments of focus, enjoyment or creative expression during treatment is worth celebrating. We know from our members how much the emotional side of dialysis matters, and initiatives like Art on Dialysis show that the NHS is beginning to take that seriously alongside the clinical side of care.
— Guy Hill, Chair of MRIKPA
What does this mean for dialysis patients more broadly?
The Art on Dialysis pilot is specific to Raigmore Hospital for now, and it is important to be realistic about what a year-long pilot in a single renal unit can tell us. If the project demonstrates measurable wellbeing benefits for participants, and if the public exhibition at its conclusion draws wider attention, there is hope it could inspire similar schemes elsewhere in the UK, including potentially in Greater Manchester.
For now, it serves as a reminder that patient wellbeing encompasses far more than clinical metrics. At MRIKPA, we champion exactly this kind of whole-person approach to kidney care. Our own casual park walks are one way we try to offer that sense of community and gentle activity outside the clinical setting, and we are always glad to hear about initiatives that recognise the full humanity of life on dialysis.
If you would like to connect with others who understand what life on dialysis is really like, we are here as a community of people who have been through it. Drop us a line at support@mrikpa.org.uk or ring us on 07745 242 684.
Source: Inverness Courier, March 2026 — read the original article
This article is provided for general information and awareness purposes only and was believed to be accurate at the time of publishing. It is not intended as medical advice — please always consult your doctor or renal team for guidance on your individual circumstances. Images used are for illustration purposes only and may not be medically or editorially accurate. While we take every care, errors can occur. If you spot an inaccuracy, please let us know at support@mrikpa.org.uk.
