A music producer has recorded an entire album from his hospital bed during cancer treatment.
James Ford, who has worked with the Arctic Monkeys and Florence and the Machine, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) around Christmas 2023 while in Canterbury.
He later began chemotherapy at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, closer to his home in Hackney.
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Mr Ford said: "In this situation, you get to know the staff really well and they were all wonderful in the way that they treated me."
During his second round of chemotherapy, he felt a strong urge to be creative.
His wife brought him a laptop and microphone, and he began recording an album from his hospital bed. Staff quickly took notice of the unusual studio setup.
Mr Ford continued: "They would be coming in and seeing me working with headphones on and singing. I am not sure many of them had seen anyone trying to make music on a hospital ward before – they were pretty amused and bemused and supportive."
Hospital staff would sometimes listen in or quietly take his blood pressure as he worked.
Mr Ford said the project gave him a vital sense of purpose during treatment, saying: "In that moment it really gave me something to focus on and helped me level my mental state and focus on something positive rather than the scary issues around my health."
The experience left a lasting impression, and he credited some of the hospital team on his new album, Lost In Another World.
Mr Ford said: "They had a massive impact on me, everyone on the wards – from the nursing staff down to the cleaners and the people who bring the breakfast round – I don't have a bad word to say about anyone."
He also praised the NHS for their care and support, adding: "The NHS is absolutely incredible, the treatment and the support that I had from all staff here was absolutely the best I could have had. I am incredibly grateful that I was here and that they helped me through this particular part of my life."
Mr Ford’s story has been covered by Rolling Stone, NME, BBC 6 Music, and ITV. His album Lost In Another World was released on August 14.
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