A remarkable photograph capturing a patient playing the violin whilst undergoing neurosurgery has been shortlisted for a prestigious competition. The image, taken by Nial Anderson, a member of the communications team at King's College Hospital Trust in London, features Dagmar Turner, 53, undergoing surgery in 2020. Her procedure was performed by Professor Keyoumars Ashkan.
The entry is part of the Innovations section of the competition, which commemorates the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service (NHS) and which has invited submissions from various medical fields. The 75 shortlisted photographers, including Anderson’s, have been invited to the launch event of 'Our NHS at 75' on 4 July 4 at the Fujifilm House of Photography, where the winners will be announced.
The compelling photographs will be showcased at an exhibition held at the Fujifilm House of Photography in Covent Garden, London. The five winners will have the privilege of displaying their work at the NHS 75th anniversary service, set to take place at Westminster Abbey on 5 July 5.
Professor Ashkan, a consultant neurosurgeon at King's College Hospital Trust, holds a music degree and is an accomplished pianist.
Drawing on his musical background, he devised a unique plan to safeguard Dagmar's musical abilities while fulfilling the intricate requirements of the surgery.
Dagmar's brain tumour was situated in the right frontal lobe, close to the region responsible for controlling the precise movements of her left hand.
As the violin requires the skilful manipulation of the fingers along the fingerboard to produce different pitches, the preservation of her fine motor skills was of utmost importance.
The dedicated neurosurgical team at King's College Hospital invested two hours meticulously mapping Dagmar's brain, identifying the areas that were active when she played the violin, as well as the regions accountable for language and movement control.
They also engaged in discussions with Dagmar, introducing the notion of waking her up during the procedure so that she could actively participate by playing the violin.
This extraordinary photograph serves as a testament to the remarkable intersection of medical expertise, artistic expression, and human resilience.
The image encapsulates the transformative power of the NHS and the unwavering dedication of healthcare professionals like Professor Ashkan, who go above and beyond to ensure the holistic well-being of their patients.
Professor Ashkan commented: ‘It is great to see Nial’s talent recognised for capturing this moment in history. To have the opportunity to represent the face of the NHS for 75 years of untiring service to the nation is a rare and true honour.’
