When the Emi unit was built in 1987/8 the standard bed head 100 volt
system was installed. Some day rooms had speakers fitted and the bed
areas received the standard wall selection panels.
The equipment rack was installed in the roof plant room and the
channels available were different to the rest of the hospital.
A balanced audio link was provided by the builders back to the radio
studio, however this was not connected all the way and after handover
we had to effect a repair in the ground floor plant room to make it
operational.
During the construction we instructed Wireless workshop to install
aerials for our inductive loop am service as well.
Whilst the EMI unit was under construction, ward 10 lost it’s bed head
service on the 100 volt system, as the cable got cut and no one knew
where to reconnect.
When the EMI unit became occupied and as time went on it was evident
that the wall mounted units which used the plastic stethoscope type
headsets, would not be supplied as they were a danger to the type of
patients.
Ward 14 was the only ward with speakers in the day room the other
wards had nothing.
Ward 12 who were on the lower ground floor had a portable radio tuned
to our inductive loop signal, provided in the smoking room, which
turned off a lot of patients from making requests as they would have
to sit in the smoking room. The signal was not very strong as the
metal work of the building was absorbing a lot of the signal.
The equipment rack in the plant room kept overheating and the output
transistors were replaced and a new cooling fan added all to no avail,
basically sited in the wrong place.
The radio listening facilities on the EMI unit was a continued thorn
in our side.
All ward visits to ward 12 were suspended as staff were constantly
being berated over not being able to listen to the radio.
In 1995 I drew up a plan and a rough costing on replacing the EMI
rack. This was shelved at the time as we were concentrating on the new
room with a view project.
New listening facilities and re-instatement of ward 10
bed-heads.
Project 97
In 1997 a patient sent a letter to us and the hospital complaining
about the poor listening facilities. We conducted a site survey in
1996 about the bed head system and again in 1997 to see what the state
of play was.
Our own equipment rack in the studio feeding the main hospital site
had also lost channels and was by this time over twenty years old.
We decided to organise funding for a new equipment rack in the studio
which would feed the EMI unit and provide speakers in nominated rooms
also at the same time repair the ward bed heads.
EMI Unit Ward 12 Radio Listening Proposals
1st December 1997
Options Available
The result of discussions which took place with a senior member of
staff from the EMI unit on 5th November 1997.
The staff do not want the bed head system re-instated but would prefer
listening facilities to be provided in the smoking room, dining room,
plus two non-smoking rooms which were identified to me.
In the past portable radios have been provided for the smoking room.
The staff would not advocate any continued supply of these as they do
cause problems of theft and safety for the staff.
The varying age group of patients on the ward does not lend itself to
provide one service. They would prefer a choice of radio services, if
possible.
In considering any improvements to the facilities for ward 12 other
wards in the block are not catered for and on the general hospital the
main bed head amps are in desperate need of replacement.
Repair Radio Rack Plant Room
The 100 volt radio system which supplies all bed head’s on the EMI
unit has all four channels faulty and it has been like this for some
time.
Repairing this unit once again will not provide service to the day
rooms. Cable distribution problems from this rack are the main reason
for constant failures plus high temperatures in plant room.
Repair unit and Provide speakers with volume controls in smoking room
dining room and quiet rooms identified by staff.
Provide tuner/amp in electrical cupboard tuned to 999khz and Provide
speakers with volume controls in smoking room dining room and quiet
rooms identified by staff.
Proposed Renewal of 100 Volt Transmission Rack Plus Provision of
Listening Facilities for Day Rooms on Ward 12 EMI Unit( plus
Re-instatement of bed heads for ward 10 )
In 1975/6 the league of friends injected £5000 into the setting up of
the hospital radio service which included the provision of the bed
head listening equipment currently installed in the studios.
Over the years the equipment has been maintained by the radio station.
The unit provides 4 radio channels, of which one is already faulty
beyond repair. The age of the equipment prevents any further
maintenance as replacement parts are no longer available. The
equipment has lasted as long as it has, due to the easy access and
care given.
The hospital has always been responsible for the provision of the bed
head listening facilities above the bed. This has resulted in units
being left in a faulty state as money has not been available to spend
on repair or replacement of headphones.
In 1986/87 as listening facilities around the wards became scarce the
radio station looked at the option of using the emerging technology of
inductive loop which could provide signal across the hospital without
the need for cables and individual bed head equipment. The radio
station raised £10,000 to provide this equipment and it was installed
in February 1988.
The inductive loop( Medium Wave ) service was never intended to be a
direct replacement for the bed head services. The inductive loop
system was installed to complement the bed head system and offer
service where the bed head had broken down.
Over the years patients and their relatives have been encouraged to
sponsor loan radios and this has worked quite well on wards where
patients may have a longer stay. 225 loan radios have been provided
since 1990 of which I'm sure not all are still on the hospital
property but have been spirited away. It is important to maintain this
service and that access to bedside lockers is available at all times.
On the EMI unit access to lockers is not available so we are unable to
offer the loan radio service, as it is impossible to administer.
The EMI unit suffers from interference from alarm systems especially
in the evenings when signal is poor. The metal ceiling tiles seriously
hamper the inductive loop signal. Where patients have a short stay:
the loan radio service doesn't work so well. ( i.e. ward 7 )
Proposals
Our proposals are to secure funding for the replacement of the ageing
bed head equipment in the studios as well as provide a new link to
ward 10 so that bed heads can be re-instated( damaged in 1988 ). It is
also our intention to provide speakers in day rooms on the EMI unit
with the choice of four radio services.
We are allowing for any refurbishment's that take place on the
hospital in the future. A link into a new bed head supply which offers
choice for the patient.
A new rack to be purchased 37U which will allow adequate ventilation
and facilitate the inclusion of a time switch. The rack will also
allow for expansion of facilities which may be required utilising 19
rack technology.
The new amps and tuners which are required can be purchased off the
shelf from the suppliers listed.
EMI Units Speakers & Volume Controls Etc.
The new speakers and program selectors which will be required.
Ward 10 Bed head
This ward was originally connected to ward three and didn't have it's
own transformer isolation unit. A new unit will need to be supplied.
Once new service has been provided to ward 10 replacement headsets
will be required.
Cable
The proposed cable route and connection points are shown ( See Drawing
)
The cable used is low fire hazard cable with blue outer sheath
recommended for installations in hospitals and public buildings.
Man-hours ??
Radio Heatherwood will provide the materials and make the necessary
connections. We do however need to address who will provide the
installation of the new cables. We would be looking for the hospital
to contribute to the project with their own works department providing
the installation of the cable links
Miscellaneous
Cable fixings, junction boxes and allowing for any unforeseen
expenses, a figure of £900 needs to be set aside.
Monies to be set aside £6000 for project
Compiled by P Davidson-Smith January 1998 Proposals submitted to
league and staff
On the 1st June 1998 after no news from the EMI unit identifying which
rooms would be wired out and reports the hospital were not now going
to assist and a message which was left on the studio answer machine
confirming our fears, the following letter was sent and the provision
of listening facilities on the EMI unit was all but dead.
Subject:- Radio Listening Facilities for Patient Areas EMI Unit( Ward
12 )
In October/November 1997 I spoke to you regarding the above project
which was being investigated and proposals were in the process of
being drawn up to improve the service especially for the patients of
the Emi Unit and ward 10.
Since my initial discussions costing for the project which included
the replacement of the bed-head amplification equipment in the radio
studio's produced a target of £6000 which would be required. The bed
head service amps which offer the choice of 4 radio services were
purchased 22 years ago by the league and account for the major part of
this fund-raising £3000-£4000.
When we first looked at providing the day room facilities on ward 12
providing 4 amps and listening local to the Emi unit would have meant
restricted access to the units plus not being able to offer a service
to other wards which could have benefited from this installation. We
decided therefore to replace the ageing amplification equipment in the
radio studio that way we could offer a day room listening facility to
any ward as well as maintain ward 8 and ward 3 's bed head service
which relies on these. A cable link from Radio Heatherwood to the Emi
unit would have allowed us to install listening facilities in
nominated day rooms: ( equipment for each room is not expensive).The
cable link is a further estimated £4000 in man-hours etc.
As the hospital still see's the bed head service as the primary
listening service for wards and renovations carried out to wards and
new wards built are still going to be linked to the bed-head system.
We must therefore ensure the amps in the radio studio can support any
changes.
We already know the Am service offers a service where the bed head
system is broken on the wards but loan radio's will not work in the
Emi unit and will not work on wards where patients have short stays.
We have to continue to support both systems each has it's own pluses
and minuses.
The discussions you recently held EMI and works department now puts a
question over any future support for the Emi unit with regard to radio
services. ( by the way this idea of 4 rooms, was XXXX's idea and would
not have included the re-connection of existing bed-heads in the
wards). Despite our discussions with the Emi unit and the apparent u
turn by the staff over portable radio’s: it has been decided not to
press ahead with fundraising for this part of the project. This
decision also defers any help we can offer to ward 10.
As you are aware from our recent LOF meeting it’s very sad that
patients who do benefit from contact with the radio and its volunteers
are likely to be without services for a very long time. Since day one
of the building of this unit over ten years ago we have offered a poor
quality of support from the radio services. It was also the building
of the Emi unit which cut the cable to ward 10.
We will continue with our fund-raising appeal to raise the funds to
replace the bed-head amp/tuners in the radio studio so that ward 8 and
ward 3 and future changes on the hospital. can be accommodated by this
new equipment.
Our revised target now is £4000-£4200 for the replacement of the Bed
head amps. We currently have £610 set aside towards this figure. In
addition Crowthorne Rotary club has chosen the Radio station as it’s
chosen charity this year and is supporting our aims for the hospital.
Regards Correspondence Secretary
League of Friends & Radio Heatherwood.
PS : New Diagnostics Unit
The old SCBU which is being converted to the new diagnostics unit has
three of our am aerials in it which have been moved or are hanging out
of windows and we have not been contacted or consulted to arrange
their re-siting .
I have today sent a fax to the installation company asking them to
attend site for our service contract as soon as possible, so they can
also evaluate the work/cost involved in rectifying the damage.
Footnote
The failure on the trust to support the project would mean patients on
the EMI unit would have to wait until Late summer 2000 before they
were offered radio services on their bed head system.
The letter to the trust and the u turn touched a nerve at the time, as
whenever any work was carried out on wards or departments the radio
services would suffer in some way. The radio station would then pick
up the bill.
The fundraising continued throughout the year and by December 1998 the
monies were available to replace the bed head system rack in the
studio.
Fast forward to March/April 1999 and the new equipment rack unit would
be installed in the radio studio.
Archive Gems
Just some extra's we found:-
Crowthorne Rotary Club
On 1st December 1997, a letter was sent to Crowthorne rotary
to encourage them to fund raise in 1998 for our proposals.
The hospital were still not responding to requests to respond
to our proposals and hence in April we had to advise the
Crowthorne Rotary that the EMI unit would be dropped from the
publicity/fundraising info.
July 1998
Crowthorne Rotary presented the radio service with a cheque
for £2000.
On the notice board you will have noticed our proposals to
improve the service available to the EMI unit.
Despite my already valuable time being used to this project
getting off the ground it seems the management of the EMI unit
do not feel the same. Despite a visit to them plus a letter to
them at the beginning of December they have ignored our offer
of help or support.
We have stopped all ward visits to ward 12 and the only way
forward for them now is for them to contact us.
My experience of dealing with the hospital over the years has
always produced a stone wall effect from certain department's
this we have never been able to change and it's rather sad
that through the actions of certain staff we are unable to
improve the service available to the patients who would
certainly benefit from our support.
It has always been my role to ensure outside groups are aware
of our activities and when necessary ask them for financial
support.
At the present I feel really embarrassed about the whole
project especially as two outside groups already know about
the project and would have been prepared to offer their
support.
We are now in a state of limbo over this as we will now have
to continue to raise funds to replace the bed head amps in our
studio but we will not be able to advertise the EMI part of
the project.
We will not be able to move forward on the link to ward 10
until such time as the EMI unit approach us.
We couldn't ask the hospital to stump up the man power for a
new link to ward 10 when the benefit is only for one ward.
Our ongoing target will be to raise £3200 to cover the cost of
the new amps etc.
