A pioneering project funded by Fife Health Charity and our supporters is helping improve the wellbeing of patients experiencing distress in an acute mental health ward. It’s also attracting national attention for its innovative and person-centred approach.
"Music, Not Medication", developed by Darren Lewis, Staff Nurse at Queen Margaret Hospital, was originally supported through a grant from Fife Health Charity.The project encourages the use of personalised music as an early intervention when patients experience anxiety, distress or agitation, providing a meaningful non-pharmacological alternative where clinically appropriate.
The initiative enables patients to create personalised playlists containing music that is significant to them. During periods of distress, patients are offered the opportunity to listen to their chosen music through ward-owned devices, helping to promote emotional regulation, wellbeing and therapeutic engagement.
Early results from the pilot project have been extremely encouraging. Staff observed improvements in mood, reduced agitation, increased sociability and enhanced engagement on the ward. The project also demonstrated a reduction in the use of medication among participating patients, suggesting that personalised music interventions may offer a valuable additional tool in supporting patient care and recovery.
The success of the project recently led to Darren Lewis being invited to present "Music, Not Medication" at the NHS Scotland Event 2026, where it received significant interest and positive feedback from healthcare professionals across Scotland. Alongside presenting a poster, Darren also delivered a dedicated spotlight session exploring the impact of the initiative in greater depth.
I wanted to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone at Fife Health Charity for believing in both me and my idea. Their funding and support made it possible to bring Music, Not Medication to the ward, and it is already making a positive difference to the lives of many patients. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and look forward to sharing future progress and developments.
The project has also received praise from senior leaders across NHS Fife. Lynne Garvey, Director of Health and Social Care Partnership and Chief Officer of the Integration Joint Board, described Darren's achievement as "remarkable" and praised the project's ability to make a genuine difference while attracting national interest.
Fife Health Charity is proud to have supported this innovative initiative and to see the difference it is making for patients and staff. The project demonstrates how charitable funding can empower NHS staff to test new ideas, improve patient experience and develop innovative approaches that have the potential to influence practice beyond Fife.
