Champions of the airwaves!
A HOSPITAL radio station that has kept morale high for staff and patients in the pandemic has looked back on a year of challenges.
Nottingham Hospitals Radio, a charity organisation run by volunteers, has been a familiar and friendly sound to many on the wards of the city’s major hospitals.
Its has earned international media coverage from the New York Times, newspaper in Spain and Italy and Canadian television.
Rajiv Hasan, head of patient interaction, said the year had been “bizarre and surreal” with the impact of the pandemic, coupled with interest from people all over the world.
“I suppose it has captured imaginations,” he said.
“Hospital radio has typically had a bit of mockery now and again but we’ve kept going and this past year has really brought the concept to the fore.”
Rajiv has spent 21 years with NHR, and now focuses on reaching out to different wards at the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital.
“We’ve always tried to encourage the visiting of wards to give patients a chance to talk and tell us what they’d like to hear.
“The bonds and friendships that are created make you realise you can really make a difference.
“I think our unique selling point is our personal touch – people could just listen to their own devices. But it’s the personal connections that are what matters.
“I feel it is more important to make a big difference to each individual who listens than to have the greatest listening figures.”
During Covid, restrictions have meant more engagement with ward staff, who Rajiv hopes will continue to tune in.
“They are obviously very busy people, but they have really engaged with us and have been taking requests when we couldn’t.
“We’ve also had a great connection with the trust to help promote some of their causes and Covid messages, which will hopefully be beneficial in the long term.”
Rajiv recently won gold for Best Male Presenter at the National Hospital Radio Awards for 2021 after a few years of bronze and silver awards.
“It’s nice to get that recognition and to have NHR represented,” he said. “Every hospital radio has its own unique scenario but it’s great to feel part of a wider family.”
Rajiv says the station’s “backbone” is presenter Steve Coulby, who has been running three shows a week in lockdown.
“When I saw the state of affairs with other presenters not able to come in, I said I’d do the three shows until the pandemic was over,” Steve said. “I had no idea it would go on for a year though!
“It’s been really challenging but we are doing more than ever for our listeners.”
Steve, an IT manager, is able to continue a physical presence at the studio due to not being in contact with anyone else. He was fairly new to the role, but has helped to keep the shows running and explained the station had more output than ever.
“We replaced our playout system, we have 30 hours of syndicated shows and we do live commentary on football,” he said.
“We also caused a bit of a Twitter sensation when we asked for romantic songs on Valentine’s Day and I ended up doing a four-hour show out of it.
“Although it’s been a bit of a ‘one-man show’ we’ve actually achieved an enormous amount.”
He added: “I made a commitment so I was damn well going to do it. I didn’t want to let the listeners down and break the only connection people have.
“I’m proud of what I’ve done and where the station is now, with new grants, a new website, and even new flooring and chairs.
“I think there is definitely a new respect for hospital radio and potential for a new era at Nottingham Hospitals Radio.”