Radio's Benefit

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 8, 7 September 1928, Page 8

Radio's Benefit

Appreciation in Hospital PHAT wireless programmes have a definite therapeutic value to hospital patients. is the testimony given by the Medical Superintendent of the Wellington Hospital, Dr. H. B. Ewen, after a brief. practical experience of the operation of the wireless installa~tion in the Wellington’ Hospital. ‘This experiment, as is generally known, has been carried out through the instrumentality of the Wellington Amateur Radio Society, which is now embarking upon a campaign to secure a further £700, in order to complete the equipment of all wards in the hospital with receiving apparatus. At a meeting of the executive of the Amateur Radio Society of Wellington, held last week, Dr. Ewen wrote as follows :- "T understand that a further appeal is being made to the public to complete the wireless installation in the main buildings at the Wellington General Hospital. There are still nine wards to be connected up at an estimated cost of £700. "The existing installation has given every satisfaction and the results have well warranted the expenditure. Wireless ‘listening in’ in a public hospital is far more than an entertainment. It is of definite therapeutic value in the treatment of disease. The influence of the mind over the body is well known, and anything which helps the patient to be cheerful and to lessen the tendency to worry over his condition definitely helps the body to overcome the disease. This is becoming daily more and more evident in the wards and many are the remarks of gratitude from the patients. The excellent programmes from 2YA are now well balanced to suit all tastes, and as the installation provides ear-phones for each patient, no patient is compelled to listen to any particular item if he does not wish to. "T have no hesitation in recommending this further appeal to the generosity of the citizens of Wellington. Reports reach me from time to time from hospitals in other countries testifying to the great value of radio, and I not only heartily commend this effort to complete the installation in the main buildings, but I hope sufficient funds will be forthcoming to install a Similar receiving set in the Ewart Hospital for patients suffering from tuberculosis." In addition to the Medical Superintendent’s testimony, the executive wus informed by Dr. W. 8S. Robertson, a member of the staff of the hospital and also a member of the executive of the

Radio Society, that after daily contact with the patients of one ward which had the radio installation, he could vouch for the beneficial effect of listening in upon the invalids. Particularly popular among the male patients were the broadcast running descriptions of racing and other sporting events. There was intense disappointment when the Racing Conference debarred the broadeasters from entering the racecourses, Ways and means of securing the further sum aimed at for the hospital installation were considered by the committee, and as a first step Messrs. Byron Brown and I. M. Levy were appointed a sub-committee to organise a broadcast concert to be given from 2YA, Wellington, under the auspices of the society. In this connection it is hoped to arrange that the performers’ fees shall go in aid of the new hospital ‘adio fund. for which Mr. R. Brown, secretary of the Hospital Board, is acting as secretary.