Ward Visiting

Section 1 – Ward Visiting ( Currently Suspended Jan 2023)

• In the commercial radio sector, hospital radio used to be frowned upon for being quite raw and amateurish, (although most people have some sort of student or hospital radio background before moving onto commercial or BBC radio). This was due to the lack of presentation skills, knowledge, and somewhat mimicking local radio (usually commercial “in yer face” style of presentation - badly). This style of presentation does not bode well if your main audience are 50-60 years of age!

Therefore visiting patients is an integral part of hospital radio. If you wish to broadcast on the radio service, there is no point if you don't know who your core audience is; and therefore build an appropriate radio service that  patient's will like to listen to and enjoy.

Before you are shown how to visit patients on wards, you must use some common sense. Basic ground rules are: asking for permission, how to approach patients collectively/individually, when not to approach patients, and infection control. ( These are managed by online training carried out by the Trust)

Before you decide to visit any wards, you must familiarise yourself with the layout of the County Site  site.

And so onto the training......

Ward Visiting.

1. Ensure your are properly dressed and check your personal hygiene before you perform visiting duties. Remember as a volunteer, you are representing the hospital trust as well as HHR.

• Decide which ward/s you plan to visit. Ensure that the ward is not an isolation/infectious treatment ward. Ensure you are wearing you ID at all times.

• Before entering the ward, make use of the alcohol/sanitising hand gel. Infections are brought INTO hospitals – ensure you use the gel before and after ward visiting.

• Introduce yourself to the ward sister/matron/duty officer and ask for permission and if it is suitable to visit the patients for requests. In some cases it may not be possible to visit the patients, (whilst patient medication is being administered/doctors doing their rounds, a medical emergency, etc.).

• If permission is given, approach the ward and assess the type of ward and condition of the patients (some patients may be drowsy through post-op anaesthetics or medication). At the opening to the ward, give your first name and introduce yourself. By doing this, you don't alienate other patients when you start to talk to the first patient. You will also put the patients at ease and create a better rapport. Don't isolate yourself to one patient – try to talk to the ward as a whole. This can create a better atmosphere with the patients and nursing staff alike.

• While talking to patients, ask about their favourite song/artiste. You could also ask if they would like a request played for someone, or if a song may bring back a memorable occasion in their life. The more information you find, the more of a “story” you can tell on air.

• During visiting, check the condition of the hospital bedside radio system. Report any broken units for repair and/or replacement of headsets. To prevent cross contamination, do not place the headsets in your ears.

• Before leaving, encourage patients to listen in, and wish them all a speedy recovery.

• Return to the nursing station and thank the staff. When leaving the ward/s, reuse the alcohol/sanitising gel.
• When “breaking the ice” to talk to patients, NEVER use humorous comments that could offend persons of an ethnic, racial, or religious faiths etc. MP's and comedians seem to do a great job a that already!
• NEVER use comments that can be construed as swearing or offensive to people. (ie.“bl**dy hell”, “Je*us!”, “daft bug*er”).

Station Work.

Once you have returned from ward visiting, you now need to find any songs that have been requested. You will need to access the Myriad playout system in the Library. If this not set-up, load up Myriad, and log in using the general login “myriad”. Search the database (Artist or Song Title) for the required track. Mark your findings onto the request slip. If the song/track is not on the Myriad system, check the Radio Broadgreen Library Software on the other PC. Here you will find all songs/artists that we have on vinyl and CD. Again mark down your findings onto the request slip. If the track you require is on a CD, get the CD and place it along with the request slip ready for broadcast. Ensure you return ALL CD's and vinyl to the library after use.

Ensure you adhere to studio etiquette at all times. Only enter the studio if the Red “Mic Live” indicator is not lit and at the request of the presenter.

All used request slips need to be placed into the box marked “Requests”. The requests will be used to make up a favourite song/artist data that can be used to structure the automated playout system.

Familiarisation & Suitability.

Part of this training, is also intended to familiarise you with HHR and how we operate. As we are all volunteers, part of your duties will include general cleaning duties to keep all working areas clean and tidy. You will also be expected to aid the on air presenter by taking telephone calls etc. During this time, ongoing reports will be made about your standard of work and your suitability by your training team and presenter/s. You may also cancel training if you believe it is not want you want to do. Not all new members of staff will be deemed as appropriate and acceptance to HHR is not guaranteed. We believe this is a fair system to encourage suitable staff for the continued operation of this Charity.

Summary

• As a trainee, you will be expected to visit wards and learn how HHR operate. You will be assessed as to you suitability, as you will also find if working as a volunteer at HHR is suitable to you. You will be expected to help out around the station as part of your duties. You must adhere to the guidelines set out when visiting wards.

As a member of this charity, you will be expected to adhere to the Rules & Regulations pertaining to being a member.