The first radio services at Heatherwood hospital were started by the then works
foreman Bill Berry. It was known as the patients record request show. Those
services started in the latter half of 1969. This early service relied on the
record collection of Bill, of which most were 78's. This service lasted off and
on for about six years. The league was providing financial assistance to this
service and for the provision of headsets on the wards.
An injection of cash by the League of Friends ensured the service got off the
ground properly on the 10th June 1976.
On 10th June 1976, the radio service known as Radio Heatherwood was officially
opened by Michael Parkinson.
Back to Top
32 Years Later
The
hospital radio service at Heatherwood has undergone many different changes over
the years. As the hospital has changed and the medical care has changed, so
Radio Heatherwood has had to adapt to the changing turn around of patients.
When in 1976 patients had longer stays, today it's a much shorter stay but still
important to the listeners is the ability to have a request and listen to some
pleasant music which might relieve the pain.
The station has received support from all aspects of the local community in and
around Heatherwood. The most important part of that support is encouraging
volunteers to help out.
The volunteers today are much more skilled than their earlier colleagues. A new
volunteer today could expect up to six month's training before being let loose
on the airwaves.
Playing an enormous part of the service today is the 24 hour service from our
rhapsody computer and the ability of the patients to listen either in stereo
from the bed head terminals or the ability to listen on our medium wave
frequency of 999kHz AM.
Rhapsody today is helping the radio service to deliver useful information and
guidance on many different subjects i.e. giving up smoking, healthcare, and
local charitable events.
The music content today always reflects the age of the patients who make
requests. The majority of music played would be classed as middle of the road or
easy listening.
We mustn't forget the local charity trusts and sponsors who have over the years
pledged large sums of money to provide the hospital radio service and were it
not for them we would not be here today. We raise our glasses to them and give a
hearty cheer for their support.
The
station like the hospital faces an uncertain future as on many occasions the
local health care policy is discussed and reviewed. We hope the station will be
here in the next thirty years. If we are lucky enough to be here, it will only
be possible by the generosity and the good will of the volunteers who walk
through our door.
To remind everyone of our start back in the seventies the month of June 2006
the clock was turned back as the station brought to life the sounds of the seventies with music news and trivia.
You can find the full history of Radio Heatherwood and information on the radio
service by visiting the Radio Heatherwood web site
www.radioheatherwood.org.uk
Station Secretary
PJ Davidson-Smith
Back to Top
