New mural for St Mary's Hospital's A&E
New mural for St Mary's Hospital's A&E
24 September 2025
The artwork, A Train Through Time, was created by Nina Cosford in collaboration with Imperial Health Charity. Stretching across the entrance way to A&E, Cosford’s distinctive, illustrative style brings colour and life to the space, now to be enjoyed not only by those entering the hospital but also those passing by on their way to Paddington station.
The artwork reflects the many journeys made by staff, patients and people living in the local communities who have crossed paths at the hospital over generations.
Inspired by St Mary’s Hospital, the mural celebrates the diverse workforce within the hospital, and illustrates the important role the railway plays to everyone within the hospital's walls – from daily commutes by staff, to the many millions of journeys taken by patients and their families travelling to seek care.
Artist Nina Cosford said: “I've loved working with Imperial Health Charity and Great Western Railway to help bring some new life to this wall outside St Mary's Hospital.
“It's amazing to think how many different people can cross paths each day - I wanted to show this and the passing of time as you move from one end of the mural to the other.
“I hope that everyone who passes by will enjoy seeing this scene of colour and history and spot all the little stories within it.”
The project was made possible thanks to funding from Great Western Railway’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund, which supports initiatives that benefit local communities. The work forms part of celebrations to mark Railway 200, a year-long celebration of the railway’s 200th anniversary.
Gail Scott-Spicer, Chief Executive of Imperial Health Charity, said: “We are extremely grateful to Great Western Railway for the funding that made this magnificent collaboration with artist Nina Cosford possible. Her stunning mural is a celebration of the unique and important relationship between the NHS and the railway, and we’re proud to have been able to work with Nina to make this a reality.”
We invited a few members of the A&E team to the unveiling of the artwork.
Dr Emily Cadman, Paediatric Emergency Consultant said: “The artwork is fantastic! It is going to serve as a colourful, cheerful welcome and point of interest to all visitors. It is also a beautiful reminder of our shared history - both between Great Western Railway and St Mary’s, and also the community that we both serve.
"I love the detail and I can imagine spotting new, hidden elements every morning as I walk in. I look forward to making arrangements with colleagues to 'meet at Brunel at 9 o’clock!'”
The mural is part of Imperial Health Charity’s wide-ranging arts programme, which helps transform the hospital environment for patients, visitors and staff. If you would like to visit the mural, you can find it on the outside of the ramp up to St Mary’s Hospital’s A&E.
