Winchester Hospital Radio volunteer
Laura-Louise Ancell presents patient
Derek with his prize
Winchester Hospital Radio volunteer
Laura-Louise Ancell presents patient
Derek with his prize
To mark the Chinese New Year of the Pig, patients at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital were treated to a special themed edition of Winchester Hospital Radio's nightly request programme, 'The Sound Remedy', with the chance to win a fine dining experience.
Volunteers at the charity wore traditional Chinese dress for the ward-based programme, and gave patients fortune cookies...
In addition to patients' requests, the programme included some themed songs to tie in with China. Volunteers at the charity wore traditional Chinese dress for the ward-based programme, and gave patients fortune cookies, which had been kindly donated along with a 'Chinese meal for two', by 'Charles House Chinese Restaurant', Winchester. There were also some pretty Chinese paper lanterns for patients which had been lovingly hand-made by WHR volunteer, Laura-Louise Ancell.
All patients making a music request that night were entered into the Prize Draw, which took place live on air. Patient, Joyce Sutton on Kemp Welch ward was the lucky recipient of the Chinese meal for two. 85 year old Joyce regularly listens to the hospital radio and keeps a notebook of her favourite songs handy to phone through requests to the studios via the freephone facility provided by Patientline or to tell WHR volunteers when they visit her ward throughout the week.
Patient Joyce receives her
Chinese New Year 'Meal for 2' prize
"I always listen to the hospital radio - it keeps me going. They are such a warm bunch of people, and always make time for a chat."
On being presented with her prize, Joyce said: "I am thrilled to win this. It was such a lovely surprise to hear my name drawn. This is my second stay in hospital over the last few months, and I always listen to the hospital radio - it keeps me going. They are such a warm bunch of people, and always make time for a chat. It is a marvellous service - I just wish I could hear it at home!". Joyce, from Romsey, intends to share the prize meal with her husband Dennis, whom she has been married to for 66 years.
WHR's Programme Controller, Paul Blitz conceived the idea of a special broadcast to mark Chinese New Year. He said: "We do our best to brighten up patients' time in hospital, and the daily request items along with our 'Brain Tickler' quiz seem to appeal to patients and create a lot of fun on the wards. We are very grateful to Charles House for providing us with prizes to add to the fun on this occasion."