About

Established in 1972, the Bournemouth and East Dorset Hospital Broadcasting Association was formed from a coalition of Radio Boscombe and Radio Poole.

Hospital Radio Bedside is proud to be serving listeners and patients in our local hospitals more than 50 years later.

Our Heritage

Hospital broadcasting locally began with a weekly pre-recorded half hour request programme on Radio Boscombe in February 1972 followed by Radio Poole in July 1972.

The two stations became the Bournemouth & East Dorset Hospital Broadcasting Association in 1973 and the on-air name, Radio Bedside, was adopted in 1976 when broadcasting started from purpose built studios at Westbourne Eye Hospital. The station also added Christchurch Hospital and the Royal National Hospital in Bournemouth as recipients of their output.

During the 1970s and 80s Radio Bedside saw an increase in volunteers, longer broadcasting hours, extra request shows and the yearly publication of a patients magazine. Annual day long outside broadcasts from the Poole Arndale Centre & Bournemouth Pier Approach were also introduced featuring the stars from local shows.

Fundraising commenced in 1984 to raise money for a new purpose built studio centre. This dream was realised in 1990 when Hospital Radio Bedside moved into their new studios at The Royal Bournemouth Hospital. A final £40,0000 appeal was then launched to repay money loaned to the association by the East Dorset Health Authority.

In 1989 HRB took delivery of its first Outside Broadcast Vehicle increasing the opportunities for programmes away from the studios. The station also undertook three month long FM broadcasts in the 1990's to publicise the station and raise funds. The HRB Charity Shop opened in Boscombe in 1994 with a second shop in Parkstone launched in 2004.

In 2000 Alan Dedicoat became the associations sixth President, coinciding with the start of 24 hour broadcasting and the introduction of the Myriad playout system. HRB also introduced annual fundraising Summer Fetes at Poole Park and Kinson along with the start of the legendary Esteemed Presidents Quiz.

In 2009 HRB was awarded the coveted Queens Award for Voluntary Service which was presented to founder volunteer Jimmy Ross by The Lord Lieutenant of Dorset.

By 2015 the Friends of HRB scheme had been introduced and in 2016 the fundraising & publicity event - Pierfest, a full day of entertainment from the end of Bournemouth Pier was also launched.

HRB has over the years consistently produced entertainment for those in hospital which has also become available to those listening in the community via the website.

The stations output has been regularly commended in the HBA awards and the charity has welcomed hundreds of volunteers who have broadcast thousands of hours of entertainment and raised every penny needed to keep HRB on the air.