Background
You are here:In 1996, whilst working for a charity based at the Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Christine Hill saw children being wheeled outside in their beds by nurses, to watch the boats cruise up the River Thames. However beautiful the view may be, what about when it rains? How can the same view be inspiring all the time? Surely hospital life needs a real break in routine, some true escapism?
Imagine if patients in hospital could be wheeled to a cinema? So instead of doing the same things everyday, they could leave the ward and watch the latest box office releases? This was the start of the MediCinema concept.
The MediCinema charity was officially launched by patrons Joan Plowright the Lady Olivier, Honor Blackman, Corin Redgrave, John Bright and Michelle Lineker at St.Thomas’ Hospital London, just a stone’s throw away from the birthplace of Charlie Chaplin. The patrons were joined by patients and staff of the hospital and supporters from the film industry and medical profession.
MediCinema was propelled into the limelight when:
We were nominated as Virgin Cinemas charity, becoming UGC Cinemas a year later, an active partnership that lasted eight years.
We were nominated as one of The Walt Disney Company's charities; the beginning of an active relationship that is still ongoing today.
The Grand Opening
St Thomas’ Hospital, London, December 1999
With the support of UGC Cinemas, The Walt Disney Company, Guy's and St Thomas' Charitable Foundation, Gensler Associates, The Rose Foundation, BAFTA and all the leading film distributors, MediCinema opened in time to celebrate the new Millennium.
Patrons Helen Mirren, Corin Redgrave, Claire Bloom, John Bright, Mariella Frostrup, Ian Richardson and the MP Janet Anderson (then Minister of Film) opened the auditorium, with patients from the paediatric ward St Thomas’ Hospital London.
MediCinema Expands: Ten years later and we're stronger than ever!
MediCinema rolls out the concept; discussion, development and installation continues with other hospitals around the UK - please see 'Our Cinemas' on the homepage for a comprehensive list of the cinemas we have opened and the ones we are developing.
