Music has been shown to be beneficial in many areas of health, from stroke recovery to lung condition management.

Ian Noonan, a lecturer in mental health at the Florence Nightingale, said Mr Browne's music would bring another dimension to nursing.

"Music is essential in life. People need creativity and quite often in life when they are in hospital that is lost.

"Everything has to be done in a standardised way and people can be very frightened if they are very unwell.

'Power to soothe'

"But the importance of music goes back to the time of Florence Nightingale.

"She pointed out that it is important that nurses are quiet at night and don't disturb anyone, but she also talks about how familiar songs and things like Home Sweet Home or an Italian aria can sensitively soothe the sick and have the power to restore the soul.

"It is about trying to find a different way rather than looking solely at the Nice (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) guidelines or Department of Health guidance, and about getting students to think in a more narrative way.

amen

~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~