NONE of us ever want to go into hospital but we are grateful for such places when we are ill and need tender loving care from their wonderful doctors and nurses.
But there is another band of people who help make our hospital stays more comfortable: the jolly volunteers who operate and present programmes on hospital radio.
Eifion Evans, chairman of Radio Maelor at the Maelor hospital, Wrexham, told me that his station began broadcasting in 1979, with funding from the local Hospital League of Friends.
He said: “Initially the only space available for our first studio was an old broom store-room.
“There wasn’t much room, but at least the programmes were clean!”
Radio Maelor exists to cheer up the patients and to help take their minds off their problems. And, quite frankly, to help relieve boredom.
Patients come from as far afield as Bala, Barmouth and Dolgellau, so they may not get many visitors.
Programmes range from easy listening to religious, country and western, and classical.
Live football commentary on Wrexham FC’s matches from the Racecourse ground is also essential listening for many.
Eifion, who joined Radio Maelor in 1987, said his favourite programmes were the ever-popular request shows.
“I go around the wards, speak to the patients and ask what music they would like to hear," he said.
Most popular requests are for Jim Reeves, Elvis, Harry Secombe and Frank Sinatra.
Welsh speakers tend to opt for Welsh choirs, Trebor Edwards and Bryn Terfel.
Eifion added: “As chairman of the station, I have close links with the hospital management, which helps with communications and relations.
“I get satisfation knowing I’ve cheered somebody up by playing a favourite record for them - that’s what it’s all about.”
