Tuesday July 16, 1985

A cheery word for new mums

THERE'S NOTHING quite so tedious as convalescing in hospital with only a few well-read magazines and a bunch of grapes for company.

But Hull Maternity Hospital in Hedon Road, have come up with the answer by installing a radio landline designed to keep patients happily occupied until they are discharged.

The line is the latest one for Hospital Broadcasting Service (Hull and East Riding), which already serves five hospitals in the area.

And Miss Ann Snape, the hospital's administrator, is delighted 'It will mean quite a big difference for patients here, particularly those who are ante natal,' she said. 'A radio like this means people can send best wishes messages to new mums and helps cheer them up during their stay.'

Hull and East Riding HBS was launched in the 1950s with sport reports being sent to hospitals via a landline from Boothferry Park football ground.

In 1959 the Hull Tape Recorder Club was established to provide a better service for patients and by 1975 the service had moved into larger headquarters in Beverley Road providing music and entertainment to the major hospitals in the city. The National Association of Hospital Broadcasting Organisations has nearly 200 member stations in the UK and links with hospital stations in Holland, America and Africa

Miss Snape was to officially open the new landline today.