Hospital radio has been established at over 400 hospitals in the UK
since the 1920's. It was established to provide entertainment for
patients. The hospital radio services around the UK are providing a
mixture of music request programs and sporting commentaries from local
football grounds, also outside broadcasts from local venue's and
events are being brought to the bed head of every patient.
Over 90 years of service to the NHS it has proven to aid recovery for
patients and has been used to raise much needed funds for hospitals.
The majority of hospital radio's were born out of the need to provide
some sort of entertainment for patients who would have long stay's in
hospitals.
The old style bed head listening systems and even some of the modern
ones gave hospital radio a captive audience.
Now move the clock forward over 90 years and now a patient can be in
and out in a day, day surgery takes over. There is cases of patients
being in for longer stays but this is not the norm.
Access to music is now available on smart phones,iPod,ipads,laptops
and a plethora of electronic devices. Social networks like facebook
keep everyone connected at all times of the day.
If a hospital radio service is to survive and maintain a listenership
it needs to be at the bedhead, be it with the expensive television
unit or on the internet delivering by streaming to smart devices.
Hospital radio works, when you are stood at the bedside chatting with
the patient and delivering a one to one service at the bedside and on
the air.
Radio Heatherwood on The Wards
Radio Heritage Katie Ayers Presents Bruce Dunsford With the 1st 50 Years
League Of Friends Golden Jubilee Mug(2008) Click to Enlarge:-
The aim of the Radio Heatherwood volunteers was to bring a visitor to
the bedside of patients each evening and too provide a little light
entertainment for those in need. We also aimed to raise funds for the
League of Friends ensuring continued support for Heatherwood Hospital
and it's Staff.
Music and laughter and a visitor at the bedside, a great aid to a
speedy recovery.
Radio Heatherwood played music from the 1950’s right up to the
present day as well as comedy three times a day, and spoken word
including poetry and short stories. We also played the classics.
At 11pm and 1am most nights, we had our meditation sessions for those
having trouble relaxing.
During our live sessions we would play patients choice of requests and
dedications, as well as bringing local news and information.
In addition we took requests from members of the hospital staff.
Why Has Radio Heatherwood Stopped Broadcasting ?
Our ability to be at the bedside had been removed,the hospital trust
are concentrating on day surgery and competition for listeners is a
race that the hospital radio can't win.
The hospital radio service stopped broadcasting in December 2016,
after forty years of funding by the League of friends,Frimley Health
Trust have not renewed the lease for the league's radio station
premises,therefore providing us with no choice but to close the
hospital radio.
Radio Heatherwood ceased broadcasting on 3rd December 2016 at 10AM
1976 till 2016
40 Years of Service To The Patients and Staff of Heatherwood Hospital
Only on hospital radio can you experience the warmth of patient
contact, prior to broadcast.
