HOSPITAL Radio Tunbridge Wells [HRTW] has been awarded £1,000 from the Aviva Community Fund after its Votes for Remotes campaign reached the national finals.
This funding helps to replace TV remote controls so that patients who cannot access the radio station through the charity’s online link or via their TuneIn app will be able to do so via channel 705 on their bedside television.
When the hospital was built in 2011, each room was fitted with a plasma TV which also gave patients access to radio stations, including HRTW.
However, many of the remote controls have gone missing and the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust does not have funds to replace them.
Station Manager Chris Manser said: “The volunteers at Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells have worked hard to raise the funds needed to keep the radio service running.
“We’re really grateful to all the people that voted for our Votes for Remotes submission to the Aviva Community Fund. Enabling more patients to listen in and enjoy our service is important. Hospital radio is a proven aide to recovery.”
The NHS Trust is currently working on a solution to the TV remotes issue, and in the meantime the money will enable it to purchase some devices.
Mr Manser added: “We were concerned about reports from request collectors that a number of patients who wanted requests were unable to listen to our radio shows. Having worked so hard to maintain the service, we felt we needed to do more to ensure people could listen.”
For more information about the work of Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells visit www.hrtw.org.uk
