100 years of Hospital Radio: How it is still making a Difference for Patients at NUH | Latest news

A Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) patient has shared a heartfelt story that highlights the powerful impact hospital radio can have during a hospital stay.  

Andrea, who has been a patient on Ward F22, a Gastroenterology and Nutrition ward, spoke about how  hospital radio has supported her through  challenging times . She recalled a particularly emotional moment from six years ago, when she spent three months at Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).  

As a way of saying thank you to her nursing team before leaving, Andrea requested the song  “You Raise Me Up”  by Westlife on hospital radio. What followed was an unforgettable moment ,  her nursing team gathered in her room and sang along, using their phone torches to create a concert   like atmosphere.  

“It felt really special,” Andrea shared, reflecting on how  much  the gesture meant to her during her recovery.  

Her story comes as Nottingham Hospital Radio (NHR) marks  one hundred  years since hospital radio first began in the UK.  

In   1926, the  first broadcasts took place at York County Hospital, featuring football commentary and church services.   

At NUH, the service has been running since 1974  (o riginally under the name Radio City )  and continues today as a 24/7 station run entirely by  NUH  volunteers.  

The NHR team plays a vital role in patient experience across the Trust. As well as broadcasting music and shows around the clock, volunteers regularly visit wards to chat with patients and take song requests ,  offering companionship as well as entertainment.  

Steve Coulby, who has volunteered with NHR for seven years, recently gave ITV a behind-the-scenes tour of the station to mark  a century of hospital radio across the UK.   

“You’d be surprised by how much a simple conversation can make someone’s day,” he said.  

Steve began his broadcasting journey during the COVID-19 lockdown, describing it as a “difficult and challenging time,” but one that reinforced just how important connection and communication are for patients  especially when they feel isolated from family and friends because of the lockdown.   

Steve added,  “Whilst I get an enormous amount of satisfaction from doing what I do, it is wonderful to know that it is appreciated by the patients and staff alike .    

“People don’t want to be in hospital, so it’s nice that we are able to make their time more bearable ,  whether that’s through a simple song request or by being a familiar voice to listen to.”  

As hospital radio celebrates  one hundred  years , stories like Andrea’s are a powerful reminder of the difference  that a hospital radio can make.