Nurses relax patients by playing on hospital piano

The hidden musical skills of two nurses have been delighting and relaxing a hospital's patients after a baby grand piano was donated by consultants.

The piano has been in the entrance of the Heart and Lung Centre at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton since being donated by the family of Cecil Billing, a resident of the city who died last year.

Like other pianos put in public places around the country, it can be played by anyone who wants to, but it is the performances of two staff in particular that have charmed colleagues and patients alike.

Among the pair is Nikko Phodaca, a staff nurse in critical care who says playing during his breaks is a "big blessing" which helps relieve stress.

Nikko Phodaca, who also plays the violin, said music was his life

"Music has been my life ever since I was a kid, so I couldn't imagine my life without it, Mr Phodaca said.

"The piano being here actually has been a big blessing to me.

"It takes all of the stress from the shift away from me for a couple of minutes, half an hour, 45 minutes, and it makes me a little bit more prepared or ready to come back into work and do my job and take care of the patients that we are taking care of here."

Almira Marcelo, senior sister of the integrated critical care unit, said: "It is an honour for us to put Nikko in front for everybody to see that he's an excellent performer."

Nurse Daniel Aboyeji sometimes plays the piano after his shift ends

Daniel Aboyeji, 29, a staff nurse, has also enjoyed the arrival of the piano after learning how to play at a chapel in Nigeria.

"Playing the piano for me is very relaxing," he explained. "Sometimes I [play] after work."

A colleague said she became aware of his talent when a video was shared on social media.

"I was thinking 'who's that'? And when we opened it up it was Daniel and he was absolutely brilliant."

Patients and hospital visitors have also given positive reviews of the pair, with one man commenting: "You are in a place here where a lot of people are under stress and I think to have music like that - it's just very relaxing."

A woman added: "I could listen to them all night."

The piano had belonged the Cecil Billing, who died last year

The instrument had belonged to Mr Billing whose son and daughter-in-law are both consultants at the hospital.

His daughter-in-law, consultant anaesthetist Antonella Meraglia, said she was happy the piano was being used and the music shared.

"I'm absolutely really thrilled. It is emotionally very intense because the sound is really strong, it's a really strong feeling."