MP Justin Madders welcomes new artwork display at Ellesmere Port Hospital

Patients, visitors and staff at Ellesmere Port Hospital will now be greeted by a striking new collection of artwork created by local artist Nicky Thompson, following a special visit by Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders.

The artwork, which now lines corridors throughout the hospital, features a selection of pieces from Nicky’s acclaimed The Art of Travel exhibition which was previously on display at Ellesmere Port’s National Waterways Museum.

Inspired by the classic British travel posters of the 1930s, the collection includes familiar scenes celebrating wildlife, Chester City Centre, Chester Zoo, London Zoo and various destinations across the North West. 

Justin visited the hospital to see the newly installed display, meeting NHS staff, representatives from the Countess of Chester Country Park, where Nicky's artwork is also featured, and the artist himself, whose connections to Ellesmere Port stretch back decades. 

Born and raised in the town, Nicky is an award-winning graphic designer, illustrator and artist whose work has been showcased across the UK.  

His distinctive travel poster-inspired artwork has been commissioned by organisations including rail operators, zoos, local authorities and NHS organisations, while his exhibitions have attracted tens of thousands of visitors. 

The works on display at Ellesmere Port Hospital represent more than a decade of artistic output and mark the latest chapter in The Art of Travel exhibition, which was first shown at Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery before moving to Ellesmere Port. 

Nicky said:

"It's a sort of homecoming gig for me. This is the hospital that I came to have physio when I broke my leg as a kid. My mum has also spent time in the hospital, so it's a special place to me. 

"It's lovely to see my work lining the corridors. I hope it cheers people up when they're in hospital. If people look at the artwork and it somehow brightens their day, then that's great. Job done." 

During the visit, Justin spoke about the importance of celebrating local talent and the positive impact artwork can have within healthcare settings. 

He said:

"I don't think we do enough to celebrate local artists, so I think this will be excellent for patients. 

"It's great that we've got a talented artist like Nicky able to show his work in a local environment. He's nationally renowned and very good at what he does. 

"This artwork adds something extra for people visiting the hospital. There's lots of lovely locally themed artwork, and the fact it's been created by a local artist makes it even more special. I think that will make a real difference,” he said. 

Jonathan Develing,  Director of Strategy and Partnerships at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added:  

"Hospitals can sometimes feel like daunting places, so we're always looking for ways to create welcoming and uplifting environments for our patients, visitors and staff. 

"Nicky's artwork celebrates creativity, travel, wildlife and a strong sense of local pride, and we're delighted to have it on display at Ellesmere Port Hospital.  

“Patient and family experience is at the heart of everything we do, and this is a wonderful example of how relatively simple changes to our environment can make a real difference, helping to create a more welcoming and uplifting experience for those visiting our hospital." 

“As someone with strong personal connections to the hospital and the town, it's particularly fitting that his work has found a home here."

The artwork is now on permanent display throughout the hospital and is expected to be enjoyed by thousands of patients, visitors and staff each year. 

In 2024, the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Ellesmere Port Hospital, launched its Patient and Family Experience Strategy, placing the experiences of patients, families and carers at the heart of decision-making across the organisation. 

This focus is already delivering results, with recent patient survey findings showing improvements in patient experience and feedback, reflecting the positive impact of initiatives designed to make services more welcoming, responsive and person-centred. 

• Nicky Thompson is a graphic designer, illustrator, lecturer and artist from Ellesmere Port and founder of North West creative studio Lemondrop Creative.
• His artwork is inspired by the classic British travel posters of the 1930s and has been commissioned by a range of national organisations.
• The artwork installed at Ellesmere Port Hospital forms part of The Art of Travel collection and represents around ten years of creative work.

About the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust:

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of acute and specialist services to a population of around 445,000 people across west Cheshire, Ellesmere Port, Neston and surrounding areas. The Trust employs more than 5,000 staff and works closely with partners across health and care services to provide high-quality, compassionate care for local communities. The Trust is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the population it serves through excellent patient care, innovation, research, education and continuous improvement.

The Trust operates three hospitals:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital – a 600-bed district general hospital
• Ellesmere Port Hospital – delivering outpatient, diagnostic and rehabilitation services closer to home
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital – a rural base for community teams to better serve the local population

For more information, visit the Trust website on: 

www.coch.nhs.uk

...or follow the Trust on social media.