2004 Our Presenting Stars and Backstage Information

• Loan Radio End Of An Era

  The introduction of the new bedhead system sealed the immediate demise of the loan radio's from the wards.

  In the previous November ward 1 removed all radio's from the ward.

  On 28.3.2004 the last recorded sale of a battery to a patient on ward 4. The next two months no batteries were sold and the loan radio's were no longer required.

  The removal of the loan radio's also lowered our listener ship as patients coming into the wards were not inclined to use the bedhead terminal above the bed.

  The loan radio's were first introduced in 1990 and in 1992 the service really took off. This is documented in the following page for 1992.

  Loan Radio Expansion

  The radio offered a simple way to listen without the complication of using a computer. The older generation who were the main patient content on the wards, would rather not bother.

  The radio's were stuck in storage until 2010 when they were dismantled, sponsors plaques were removed and the rest of the radio was disposed of.

  Back to Top

• League Information Leaflet

  The league of friends information leaflet came up for renewal in March 2004.

  In the previous year the leaflet was printed showing the connection to the bedhead system however this didn't materialize, so the loan radio service continued into 2004.

  This new revision displayed the final date of the loan radio service and a list of all the final sponsors.

  In it's history 289 loan radio's were provided by the radio service for patients to use.

  Back to Top

• Rhapsody Programme Leaflet

  The connection of the new bedhead units demanded a reminder to be added to the top of the program leaflet reminding listeners listening to the radio is not charged.

  Back to Top

• Studio Log Change

  The removal of the loan radio service and the removal of battery sales mean 't a change to the studio log as these parts were removed.

• Studio Log Requests

  It was decided in future we would return to recording the amount of requests gathered by team nights. This way we could get a feel for what was happening.

  At this stage we were only broadcasting on Tuesdays Wednesdays and Saturdays.

• Studio Log Team Nights

  Each night was targeted to collect half an hour of requests for each live hour so they basically had to get 6 requests for each hour. This would mean a maximum of 18 most evenings.

  After three months, graphs were displayed on the staff notice board of the results of the request log.

  At the end of the year a revised set of graphs were also produced and displayed.

Welcome to our Picture board

Roger Presents A Disco And Promotes The Work Of The Radio Service.

Summer Disco & Radio Promotion

• Opps Manual Review June 2004

  Notification to staff:-

  The opps manual written to aid the management in maintaining a standard for the radio station has not been updated since 1999. The changes in the last 5 years a studio move the introduction of rhapsody and changes by the radio authority and the introduction of the bedhead terminals. All mean a need to review working practices.

  Over the next few weeks Team leaders and their staff should familiarize themselves with the new versions.

  In January 2004 the radio authority was replaced with Ofcom who are now responsible for all communications mediums in the UK. They have not changed the programme codes or advertising codes the old one’s from the Radio Authority are still current. They have also absorbed the Broadcasting standards council. The guide from the council is attached to the opps manual. It’s likely in the near future these guides will have the stamp of Ofcom on them and will no doubt change.

  Deletions from our part of the opps manual include all references to the loan radio service, Grand draw fund raising.

  Additions include a training matrix for newcomers, new play list requirements, instructions on the bedhead terminals and ward round requirements. Plus ensuring our hands are clean when touching the patients terminals above their beds

  Some guidelines have been changed A noticeable change is to the section 8.7 press statements future disregard for this guideline will now mean instant dismissal.

  Station Call Sign Section 27 page 78 please all make yourselves aware of what the call sign should be used now that we are on the bedhead terminals.

  Back to Top

• Talk Talk Radio Heatherwood's Healing Words

  In 2004 Barry Moor informed us we could be the recipients of funds from British Airways provided we could show it was for a project and not for running costs. It was decided to resurrect the talk talk table project, not completed when the studio move took place in 2000.

  The project was resurrected and a target of £3000 was set. A web page was created on the web site and the words below accompanied a drawing for the new layout to studio one.

  Web Page

  Radio Heatherwood is always looking to improve it's services at Heatherwood. A new goal for the station is to install talk facilities in Studio 1. The project named talk talk aims to install a comfortable environment to encourage staff patients and guests to come and talk and brighten the stay for the patients of Heatherwood.

  Studio Layout 2004 Inc Talk Talk Studio

  When radio heatherwood designed it's original studio layout for the move in 2000 it always had in mind the facility for the talk studio. Funds at the time were in short supply so the project was put on hold.

  The project is estimated to cost £3000 pounds and it is hoped to secure funding through sponsorship and donations.

  The radio station needs the support of the local community for it’s survival. If you would like to help or you would like further details, A letter or email Sponsor Radio Heatherwood are always welcome.

  Back to Top

Welcome to our Picture board

Some captured moments of our volunteers,during this year.

Our Stars of 2004

2004 Year Twenty Eight Story Unfolds

2004 was a very busy year for the station management and as the year unfolded there was much to do and organise

For further information about this year:- Follow the links

• 2004 Year Twenty Eight Summary
• 2004 Training Plan
• 2004 Our Stars & Backstage Information
• 2004 Loan Radio Service Ceases
• 2004 Archive News Stories
• 2004 Staff Newsletter
• Story Of the Archive
• Radio Video Archive
• History Site Map

And in the End

As the year draws to a close just like to take this opportunity to say many thanks to one and all for the help and support you have given this past year.

The station at the beginning of 2004 was looking like it may close, the trouble caused by the patient power company still fresh in my memory. We are now hopefully over the worst of it.

We have a lot to do over the coming months to ensure the station is the most listened to service on the terminals.

Our aim for the new year is make staff and patients “Think Radio Heatherwood, Listen Radio Heatherwood”. In doing so we secure our tenure at the hospital.

To you and your families we wish you a Merry Christmas And A Happy Prosperous New Year.

Well Done Team

Archive Gems

Just some extra's we found:-

• Request Logging

  The blue instruction page from the studio log, guidance notes for presenters on how to complete.

• Opening Words

  The introduction of the new bed head system, prompted a change to the opening and closing words presenters were asked to deliver.

• Extract From AGM Report

  Rhapsody One Year On ( April 2004 )

  Rhapsody the patients 24 hour music service delivered by Radio Heatherwood is almost one year old.

  In it's first year on air Rhapsody has delivered information supporting age concern, Bracknell Foster-pet scheme, minor injuries unit and info on the NHS direct services.

  Patients have also been able to meditate each night at 11 and have been treated to poetry and famous sonnets delivered by famous actors/actresses.

• Patient Feedback

  Subject: I would like to send a message to My Friend/Relative in Heatherwood

  Hello radio heatherwood. Your site is brilliant and I am so excited to think you may play a tune for my darling daughter. Her name is Nicole Line and she is being admitted on Thursday 16th December at 8.30am to have an op on her knee. As I live in Perth Western Australia I would be so very grateful if you could let her know how much I love her and am thinking about her every minute.

  Please would you play anything by JK for her, that would be just brilliant.

  Thank you so very much.

  Lesley Dawid

• On The Level

  The studio mixers were purchased before any limiters were included in the mixer.

  Our presenters would often when talking send the levels way over the top.

  On The Level

  In July we trialled the introduction of a limiter between the mike and the mixer however it was withdrawn later as presenters could not get to grips with the slight delay in sound feeding into their headphones.

  The limiters were added to the record line for the computer and were useful to recordings made using cool edit.