Those in nurse manager jobs could soon see themselves calling out "droopy drawers, 44", ushering in models for art lessons or wheeling in sound systems, after a new report revealed that helping patients beat the boredom, depression and social isolation of being in hospital would help speed recovery.

The report, from the British Medical Association's Board of Science highlights how patients admitted to hospitals find the stays tedious and dispiriting.

The Observer saw a copy of the report, which suggests that NHS hospitals should use bingo, art classes and beds with green spaces to help with this. That's according to The Guardian, which quotes the report as stating: "Hospitalisation presents specific stresses over and above those associated with illness, ranging from environmental factors such as unfamiliar surroundings to the lack of privacy and independence, and uncertainty about ill-health outcomes. When a patient's needs are not met it may affect their emotional state."

As well as reducing the time spent in a hospital, these touches can reduce the amount of pain relief they require too, said Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's head of science and ethics. The suggestions include "getting more daylight in, planting some trees outside the ward, or encouraging patients to wander around a bit.''

The success of these ideas is shown at Salisbury District Hospital, where volunteers play card games, lay on bingo sessions and read newspapers with patients on the elderly care ward, and those who have suffered strokes. Depression fell, patient satisfaction rose and the length of stay at hospital dropped by a quarter.