HOSPITALS AND WIRELESS

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 5, 19 August 1927, Page 5

HOSPITALS AND WIRELESS

An interesting ceremony took place recently at the Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, when the ‘chief secretary (Mz. Prendergast) handed over to the ‘Minigter of Health (Mr. Heckett) the wire: | less equipment subscribed for through the big appeal made by the "Herald" end ‘Weekly Times,’? supported by

8L0,.for money to enable every hospital bed in the metropolitan area to be equipped with wireless. The "handingever’? was, of course, done .only by means of a symbolical act. Over 2000 patients were listening-in to am ac--count of the means whereby they had been given the privilege of so doing. Wireless has shown its marvel in nothing more than in its extraordinary benefits to the sick. 81,0, Melbourne, and similar big stations, with their fine programmes of music and sport, bring

into the dreary hospital wards the breath of life from the outside world. Military Hospitals. Soldiers at the military hospitals, for whom life seems to have resolved itself into terms of crderly wards and smooth white quilts with the red cross of suffering on them have begun to smile once more as they listen to Norman McCance’s spirited’ account of a wrestling bout, or "Musket’s" description of a thrilling race. Representatives of all hospitals were present at the ceremony, and made it abundantly clear what a tremendous part wireless played in the care of the sick, making both patient’s and nurse’s lot easier. It- was a great demonstration of what can he done by communal effort. The publicity given to the appeal by 5LO and other stations has had the effect. of extending are area of influence. ‘The thought as well as the fact has been broadcast, and New Zealand, and also Adelaide, have determined to equip their hos‘pitals in the same way. If, wireless needed anv "gesture" to indicate the increasing part it was playing in modern life, this merciful gift would supply it.