Artwork inspired by frontline doctor's recovery unveiled
A powerful new artwork inspired by the lived experience of consultant anaesthetist Dr Anthony Allnatt has been unveiled at The Royal London Hospital, shining a light on the mental health challenges facing NHS staff and the importance of making support visible, accessible and embedded into everyday working life.
Created by Stirred Health in collaboration with Barts Health NHS Trust, Held Between Shifts forms part of the You Okay, Doc? Gallery and the Creativity for Good PM Awards 40th anniversary initiative.
The artwork reflects Dr Allnatt's personal journey through trauma, PTSD and recovery, while celebrating the impact of a pioneering wellbeing programme he established to support frontline healthcare workers.
For Dr Allnatt, known to colleagues as Tony, the inspiration behind the artwork is deeply personal.
As a trainee anaesthetist, he was on the frontline during the 7 July 2005 London bombings. At the time, there were no formal psychological support services available for NHS staff affected by major incidents. He returned to work, continued his training and repeatedly spoke about what he had witnessed, unknowingly reliving the trauma each time.
Over the years that followed, his mental health deteriorated. He experienced anxiety, hypervigilance, disrupted sleep and depression, while continuing to work and care for patients. His formal diagnosis of PTSD came three years later, by which point he was severely unwell. He was signed off work and underwent seven years of psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment, later speaking openly about experiencing suicidal thoughts during that period.
Determined to improve support for colleagues facing similar challenges, Tony founded the Theatre Wellbeing Project at Barts Health NHS Trust in 2017. What began as a response to staff distress following the Westminster, London Bridge and Finsbury Park attacks evolved into a pioneering initiative that embeds psychological support directly into the working day.
The programme encourages theatre staff to take time at the start of shifts to attend sessions focused on mindfulness, self-compassion, reflection and physical wellbeing. During the Covid-19 pandemic, these sessions became a daily source of support for teams working under extraordinary pressure.
The impact has been significant, with staff reporting improved wellbeing, stronger team cohesion and greater confidence in discussing mental health. The programme has also contributed to reductions in sickness absence and staff attrition.
Inspired by Tony's experiences and the success of the Theatre Wellbeing Project, Held Between Shifts explores the journey from isolation and strain towards connection, healing and hope. The artwork draws on the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired using gold, transforming cracks into part of the object's story rather than something to be hidden.
Its layered textures and movement from darkness into light reflect the realities of recovery, while its reflective surface invites viewers to pause and consider both the experiences of healthcare professionals and the importance of creating environments where support is visible, accessible and embedded within everyday working life.
By sharing Tony's story through Held Between Shifts, the project aims to encourage greater awareness, reduce stigma and demonstrate the importance of supporting those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.