London, 12th May 2026 – A newly published Impact Report by BAPAM (British Association for Performing Arts Medicine) shows that in 2025 alone, nearly 3,000 performers sought specialist medical support through BAPAM, the UK’s medical charity for the performing arts, marking the busiest year in the organisation’s 40‑year history. More than half were based outside London, reflecting the nationwide nature of demand and the growing need for structured occupational health provision in the creative economy.

75% of performing arts professionals will experience a career‑impacting physical or mental health condition, reinforcing concerns shared across the creative and medical sectors about the sustainability of performing arts careers without specialist health support.  

As the UK’s leading medical charity dedicated to the performing arts, BAPAM delivered nearly 2,800 free specialist clinical consultations in 2025 alone, supporting almost 3,000 performers and creative professionals at a critical point in their careers. 

Patients to the UK wide clinics presented most often with musculoskeletal injuries (41%), mental health concerns (27%) and voice‑related conditions (20%), reflecting the distinct physical and psychological demands of professional performance. 

As freelance working patterns dominate music, dance and acting, access to clinicians who understand the realities of rehearsal schedules, touring, vocal load, injury risk and psychological strain is increasingly critical to sustaining careers. 

“Creative careers place unique, cumulative demands on the body and mind,” said Claire Cordeaux, Chief Executive Officer of BAPAM. “Our data shows that without access to specialist, sector-informed care, performers and professionals are at significant risk of long‑term health problems that can end careers prematurely. This report underscores the importance of system‑wide approaches to health in music, dance and acting — not just treatment when something goes wrong, but prevention, education and sustainable working practices. It also clearly shows how valued BAPAM is by those we support, especially the free clinical consultations at the core of our work. It is vital that as a sector, we listen to the individuals the UK’s world-leading creative industries depend on, to ensure that vital health services are person-centred, equitable and effective.” 

Rising Demand, Measurable Outcomes 

This Impact Report confirms that 2025 was BAPAM’s busiest year on record, with over 3,400 clinical episodes delivered, more than half to performers based outside London. Since 2021, BAPAM has also delivered over 20,000 psychotherapy sessions, achieving average reductions of six points in anxiety and depression scores using validated outcome measures. 

Alongside clinical care, BAPAM’s prevention‑focused work continues to expand. In 2025, over 2000 attendees took part in free healthy performance and injury‑prevention workshops, while 400+ attendees joined specialist Continuing Professional Development training for healthcare professionals supporting performing arts patients. The charity’s Directory of Practitioners now connects artists and sector professionals with 300+ vetted clinicians experienced in the specific demands of performance work. 

“For musicians, dancers and actors, health is inseparable from artistic practice,” said Dr Finola Ryan, Executive Medical Director at BAPAM. “Our role is to ensure that clinical standards for this population are evidence‑based, safe and informed by real‑world performance environments. The scale of need reflected in this report confirms performing arts medicine as a public health priority within the creative industries.” 

A Sector‑Wide Health Challenge 

Despite progress, the report highlights that levels of poor health in the performing arts workforce remain disproportionately high. Freelance working patterns, inconsistent access to occupational health services and stigma around illness can compound risk. 

BAPAM’s strategy for the coming years focuses on five priorities: Growth, Quality, Accessibility, Sustainability and Research, with the long‑term aim of embedding specialist healthcare into the infrastructure of the performing arts sector. The charity is working in partnership with industry organisations, unions, educators and academic institutions to develop standards of care, establish healthcare pathways and most importantly, support the health and wellbeing of performing arts professionals and students across the UK.  

About BAPAM 

Founded in 1984, BAPAM (British Association for Performing Arts Medicine) is the UK’s medical charity for the performing arts. Led by doctors and clinicians with expertise in creative sector health, BAPAM provides free specialist clinics, mental health support, training, resources and research to support healthier, more sustainable careers in music, dance, acting and related performance disciplines. 

Funded by the creative industry (Help Musicians, Equity, the Musicians’ Union, PRS Members’ Fund, PPL, Sony Music UK, Dance Professionals Fund, Equity Charitable Trust, The Royal Society of Musicians and Actors’ Trust), and in partnership with key organisations, we provide vital support to aid recovery from illness or injury and create a healthier and more sustainable environment for performing arts professionals across the UK.    

BAPAM works across the creative and medical sectors. We are the leading provider of clinical services to the UK’s entire performing arts community, supporting everyone in the industry, from musicians and singers to dancers, actors, and circus performers, as well as those who work behind the scenes. We ensure they receive evidence-backed information and training to prevent poor health, and we provide free, specialist care when things go wrong.   

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE https://www.bapam.org.uk/impact-report-download