It seems every subject and every broadcasting ability is rewarded these days with its very own awards ceremony, and why not? Who is more deserving of recognition, the multi million pound Oscars nominee or the unpaid volunteer who sweats it out in Hospital Radio?
We would agree that both require their limelight and a day to have their achievements recognised but of course would wholeheartedly state that a Hospital Radio DJ is far more deserving of an accolade. However each and every single hospital radio station and their staff deserve a medal for the service they provide and the happiness and joy they give through voice and music to the hundreds of thousands of inpatients who have overnight stays in hospitals in the UK and beyond.
Each year The Hospital Radio Awards takes place in March as a public event to reward the services of the nationwide staff who offer their time to cheer patients up in THEIR time of need. Either through music, a positive attitude, a sense of humour and the programmes they choose to air.
Last year the ceremony took place in Blackpool, this year it will be held on the opening evening of the HBA Annual Conference in Bristol. There are several categories in which hospital radio staff can be nominated. The current categories are as follows:
Station of the Year
Male Presenter of the Year
Female Presenter of the Year
Special Event
Best Speech Package
Best Newcomer
Best Specialist Music Programme
Station Promotion
The John Whitney Award
Best Programme with Multiple Presenters
Fundraiser of the Year
Winners in 2013 were:
Station of the Year 2013:
Gold Whipps Cross Hospital Radio, Silver- Radio Redhill, Bronze- The Hospital Broadcasting Service, Glasgow.
Male Presenter of the Year 2013:
Gold- Andy Brown, Radio Wey, Silver- Dave Warren, Hospital Radio Basingstoke and Bronze went to John Murray of Victoria Radio Network.
Female Presenter of the Year 2013:
Gold- Laura Tremelling, Sunshine Radio, Silver- Mandy Morrow, Radio Wey, Bronze- Louise Croombs, Hospital Radio Reading.
Special Event 2013: Gold- Diamond Jubilee Party, Radio Tyneside Network, Silver- Dolmetsch Memorial Plaque Hospital Radio Lion (Guildford), Bronze- Olympic Highlights Radio Warneford.
Best Speech Package 2013: Gold- Chingford Model Railway, Whipps Cross Hospital Radio, Silver- Casper the Commuting Cat by Hospital Radio Plymouth, Bronze- Stargazing Live 2012, Scunthorpe Hospital Radio
Best Newcomer 2013: Gold- Rachael Dodd, Hospital Radio Plymouth, Silver- Argyll Duffy, The Hospital Broadcasting Service and Bronze - Wendy Sherer, Radio Northwick Park.
Best Specialist Music Programme 2013: I'm in the Mood for Love: The Story of Jimmy McHugh (1894-1969), Citybeat in London.
Station Promotion or Trailer: Gold- Radio Wey
The John Whitney Award: Winner- Dave Nicholson, Radio Tyneside Network
Best Programme With Multiple Presenters: Gold- Wednesday Request Show, Hospital Radio Reading, Silver- Your Choice, Nottingham Hospitals' Radio and Bronze- Ronny and Joe's Wee Show, Bridge FM.
The next awards nominees are announced on New Year's Day and reproduced on Hospital Radio stations across the country.