The £70,000 polished stone was unveiled last month

University College Hospital appointed Guy Noble to arrange art exhibitions, concerts and other events to "improve patients' experience in hospital".

Charitable donations paid for the post, it said, but the Patients Association has called it "a waste of money".

Last month the hospital paid £70,000 for a stone sculpture at its entrance.

'Quicker recovery'

In a statement, the University College Hospitals Trust said: "Guy will be working with top museums and galleries to provide activities for patients."

Hospital bosses said the £41,854-a-year post was funded from donations and would not divert resources from patient care.

The statement said arts facilities helped "in quicker recovery rates for patients as well as help with the recruitment and retention of staff".

Michael Summers, chairman of the charity Patients Association, welcomed steps to improve conditions for patients but said the post did not make financial sense.

"I think it's a waste of money. There are charities who do this work.