Music in Hospitals Scotland CEO Alison Fraser awarded MBE

ALISON Frazer, retired chief executive of the Edinburgh-based Music in Hospitals Scotland, has been awarded an MBE for services to patients.

Alison Frazer with Music in Hospitals patron Sally Magnusson. Picture: supplied

Alison joined the staff of Music in Hospitals Scotland 20 four years ago and was appointed chief executive in 1996.

Her work during the past three decades has involved a remarkable contribution towards making access to live music more commonplace in healthcare settings.

During her time with the Music in Hospitals, she supported more than 41,000 live concerts for people in care.

As an avid music lover, and with a strong sense of compassion for the wellbeing of others, through her work Alison has facilitated musical performances everywhere from Shetland and Orkney to the Scottish Borders.

She also set up concert tours involving care units in the Outer Hebridean Islands and organised performances for highly diverse audiences across Scotland, in stroke units, hospices, children’s hospitals and mental health hospitals, to name a few.

She said: “It is a great honour to receive this award from Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of the work of Music in Hospitals in Scotland.

“I should like to dedicate it to all those who support the charity and who strive to ensure the provision of high-quality live music where it is most needed – in particular MiH’s talented and inspirational musicians.”

Following on from a busy year in 2015, which included staging 1765 performances in care settings across Scotland, Alison retired from Music in Hospitals at the end of February.

Peter Fairlie, chairman of Music in Hospitals, which has its head office in Forth Street, welcomed the honour.

He said: “I am delighted that Alison’s leadership and development of Music in Hospitals Scotland has been recognised.

“Alison, for over 20 years has diligently worked for the charity and earned deep admiration from staff and all involved with Music in Hospitals.

“She thoroughly merits this award after an outstanding tenure and, deserves her well-earned retirement.”

In a statement, the charity’s Forth Street team added: “This honour could not be more deserved and all of us at Music in Hospitals are absolutely thrilled that Alison’s incredible efforts have been recognised in this way. Congratulations!”