Hospital Radio
Hospital Radio is a form of audio broadcasting produced specifically for the in-patients of hospitals and offers opportunities to people of all abilities and ages to get involved with broadcasting.
Hospital radio is delivered either through bedside units, by low-powered AM or FM licence, or over the Internet. Live programming is limited to the times that stations' volunteer members can attend studios - generally evenings and weekends.
Volunteers
Volunteers are usually trained by the station and take part in regular broadcasts which may include hospital news, patient songs requests and interviews. Volunteers may be attached to a particular weekly programme, or may work to keep the station's record library or computer systems up-to-date. Most also visit the hospital wards, to discuss the music that patients would like to hear, providing valuable interaction with non-medical staff.
Many professional radio presenters volunteer for hospital radio in their early career, as it provides a training ground for budding broadcasters. Such broadcasters include: Chris Moyles, Scott Mills, Huw Stephens, Karl Pilkington, Ken Bruce, Christian O'Connell, Simon Mayo, Phillip Schofield.
More Information
- To find a hospital radio station near you click here
More information on being a hospital radio volunteer can be found on the following websites:
- Direct Gov – Careers Advice
- Voluntary Worker
The Hospital Broadcasting Association
The Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) is the national charity that supports and promotes Hospital Broadcasting in the UK.
The HBA is managed by a committee elected from its membership and is staffed entirely by volunteers. As well as promoting hospital broadcasting and representing its members, the Hospital Broadcasting Association offers its members a variety of services as well as professional advice.
The association currently consists of 226 individual broadcasting stations, representing a large number of volunteers. Patients in many UK hospitals benefit from programmes designed to make life better for people in hospital and aid their recovery.
The Hospital Broadcasting Association has three membership categories and new members are always welcome. Membership is open to individuals, organisations, or hospital broadcasting associations.
The Hospital Broadcasting Association aims to provide relief from the effects of sickness, infirmity and old age through Hospital Broadcasting and allied services by:
- encouraging, promoting and assisting the formation of new organisations
- providing means for the exchange of ideas and information
- facilitating liaison, co-operation and co-ordination of effort between organisations
- negotiating with other organisations at National and Regional levels
- explaining, publicising and promoting the service to all sections of the community
- promoting the highest technical and artistic standards
- providing guidelines and a code of conduct for all members to strive to comply with
- establishing international co-operation
On Air Podcast the Podcast for Hospital Radio Members can be found here.
The HBA magazine On Air is available to members online here.
