UK's latest hospital radio station launched for Rochdale patients

Station manager Bob Chadwick, sitting, with, from left, the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Robin Parker, BBC Radio Manchester presenter Eamonn O’Neal and the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Peter Ashworth.

UK's latest hospital radio station launched for Rochdale patients

The official launch of the UK’s newest hospital radio station is giving patients in Rochdale a tuneful way to mark the 60th anniversary of the NHS.

The new station was officially launched yesterday evening (Thursday 12 June) with the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Robin Parker and the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Peter Ashworth, joining BBC Radio Manchester presenter Eamonn O’Neal.

Bob Chadwick, station manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be officially launching the station at such a significant time for the NHS. We’ve got a great bunch of volunteers who will be giving everything they’ve got to keep patients entertained.”

Roch Valley Radio provides hospital radio for patients at Rochdale Infirmary and Springhill Hospice as well as Bury’s Fairfield General Hospital. The state-of-the-art studio at Fairfield was developed through a £35,000 investment by Pennine Acute Trust, which runs both hospitals. In addition, the station received a £10,000 National Lottery grant and £7,000 from development organisation New Heart for Heywood.

The NHS turns 60 next month, having been established in July 1948.

Roch Valley Radio is a joint venture between Birch Radio, which previously ran the hospital radio service for the Infirmary and the former Birch Hill Hospital, and Bury Lions, which provided the service at Fairfield. It is also supported by volunteers from HFM, a community radio group from Heywood. Roch Valley Radio will broadcast to patients 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, thanks to a state-of-the-art computerised system.

Eamonn O’Neal, the BBC Radio Manchester presenter, started his broadcasting career with hospital radio and praised the efforts of everyone involved in developing the station. He said: “Hospital radio is an absolutely crucial and often under-estimated medium. Out of all the media, radio is the closest that the broadcaster comes to the audience.

“That’s particularly true in hospital radio – it’s almost as if you are by the bedside with the patients. That intimacy is essential to success, and helps patients enormously. I’m very impressed with Roch Valley Radio, and I’m sure that they’ll be very successful.”

John Jesky, Chairman of Pennine Acute Trust, said: “This new radio station will provide a valuable service to patients in both hospitals. Hospital radio really does make a difference - it lifts the spirits, beats boredom and can help patients take their mind off pain. While hospital radio is not a therapy, these benefits are widely recognised as promoting a swift recovery.

“Many people are surprised to find that hospital radio stations are run by volunteers, and are independent of the hospitals. We are very grateful for all the time they give up. I am sure that the efforts of those involved in Roch Valley Radio will provide real benefits to thousands of patients.”

The station is also available online at www.rochvalleyradio.org.uk. Anyone who wishes to join the Roch Valley Radio volunteers should contact station manager Bob Chadwick on 0161 764 9200 or studio@rochvalleyradio.org.uk.