HBSA Hospital Radio

HBSA Hospital Radio, based in Irvine, is the hospital radio station for Crosshouse Hospital near Kilmarnock, Scotland.

The station have been broadcasting for over 25 years and began by pre-recording programmes on old disco units. Since beginning in 1980, HBSA has broadcast to Ayrshire Central Hospital, Ravenspark Hospital and Crosshouse Hospital. With only the latter now served.

History

HBSA was formally opened in 1980, and from its first programmes – which were pre-recorded on an old disco unit – the service has progressed to a vibrant volunteer-led organisation serving patients in Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock. In the winter of 1994, HBSA had a major refit of the main studio thanks to a grant from the ITV telethon trust. This had a great effect on the station, enabling it to provide better programming and entertainment for the patients of North Ayrshire and Arran NHS trust. In 1995, the refit paid dividends as HBSA received the Scottish Region award in the BT Hospital Radio Awards Scheme. HBSA works closely with many outside organisations to provide a unique dedicated service to the patients. Working with NHS Ayrshire and Arran they are committed to providing a unique and entertaining service for patients.

Current

In 2007, HBSA Hospital Radio were awarded over £12,000 from NHS Ayrshire and Arran Staff Lottery to refurbish two on-air studios.

HBSA now broadcasts digitally on Patientline 24 hours a day, with a dedicated jukebox when no presenters are 'live'. The entire service, which is a registered charity in Scotland, is produced by over 30 volunteers.

Previous Members

Several previous members of HBSA gone onto professional media careers.

* Colin McArdle (West FM)
* Gary Marshall (West Sound AM)
* Jakki Brambles (BBC Radio 1 and GMTV)

Fundraising

The station promotes two ways that volunteers, friends of the station or anyone can fundraise online for them. The have an online shop where every purchase earns a donation for the charity, or an everyclick search engine where each search earns a small donation.

External links

* [http://www.hbsaradio.com HBSA Hospital Radio Website]
* [http://www.nhsayrshireandarran.com/view_item.aspx?item_id=1819 Crosshouse Hospital on NHS Ayrshire and Arran Website]
* [http://www.arranvoice.com/detail.php?id=1538 Arran Voice Newspaper - Lottery boost for hospital radio]
* [http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1038917/lottery_win_for_hospital_radio_nets_new_studios/index.html Evening Times - Lottery Win for Hospital Radio]