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Queen's Hospital - WiFi Ward Radio Project
Restoring Bedside Radios
We are developing a solution to restore patient entertainment back to the wards of Queen's Hospital, Romford. Re-utilising the dormant cabling from the defunct paid TV System. Working with local companies & Patient Experience at BHR Hospitals we're developing a solution that intuitive by design, ensuring ease of use for patients & staff. Most importantly our radio project is inclusive, allowing all patients to listen across Queen's Hospital, regardless if they own a smart phone or tablet.
Project Timeline
Patient Entertainment (Radio, TV & phone) system, operated by a third-party provider under contract with the Hospital Trust became defunct and is switched off, most equipment is removed. This system provided the primary broadcasting method of listening to Hospital Radio on the wards of Queen’s Hospital.
By 2017 the last of the TV equipment was switched off.
Bedrock Radio liaised with Head of Estates at the Trust to see if a new system was to be installed.
With Bedrock Radio given permission to use the now redundant cabling if we could find a use for it.
Working with the contractor (Globe) we established where all the Patient Entertainment Network cabling terminated. As Globe used some of the network install TV's in waiting rooms across the hospital.
Bedrock Radio work with Patient Experience to find solutions to return Hospital Radio to wards & keep patients entertained.
As NHS WiFi isn’t inclusive enough to all patients in the Hospital, as it requires patients to use their own (or family members) smartphones or tablet devices.
Bedrock Radio invest in two handheld tablet devices which are programmed to only run our Mobile App. The tablets are put out onto a ward to test, with some reported problems caused by poor Wi-Fi reception in the ward.
Bedrock Radio have been lucky enough to secure funding from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund and the Government to help part fund this project.
The most expensive parts of the project is the network equipment that connects the wards together.
Bedrock Radio has a solution to re-utilise the dormant patient entertainment network, of which the cabling covers the majority of the building.
We can create a private Bedrock Streaming WiFi network using the pre-existing cabling that will allow us to be able to deploy radio devices around the wards of Queen's Hospital.
Working with EduNet & Globe, we installed a couple of WiFi Access points as a test, we connected our Radio Tablets to these with much success and a stable connection.
We began rolling out the equipment to the dedicated racks on each ward, each rack requiring a network switch, and each ward needed a WiFi Access Point.
On 2nd June 2022 we deployed our first batch of eight 'Hospital Radios' that are pre-programmed to listen to stations provided by Bedrock Radio.
These initial devices are a 'Live Trial' to find any flaws in the system and gauge response from the wards.
At present the radios are deployed across different wards at Queen's Hospital.
We have a working proof of concept Live on the wards.
This live trial is allowing us to really get a feel for the project and we're looking to expand further.
We're seeking a local company who can help fund & sponsor more WiFi Radio's we can deploy onto the wards.
Contact Us
Project Update: June 2022
We have installed and tested our new WiFi network and as of 3rd June we have deployed an initial eight (8) WiFi Radio units, which are branded up as ‘Hospital Radios’
These will provide a Live Test of our WiFi Network, and allow us to address any problems that arise, additionally it gives the wards on the trial a chance to get used to having these radio’s around.
Project Update: March 2022
The pandemic severely slowed this project down in a number of ways;
From not being able to access wards due to coronavirus restrictions, to a global shortage of electronic equipment.
Equipment Shortages
We purchased and received our WiFi access points that will go onto each ward for the radios to connect to (Replacing the defunct wireless receivers from the former bedside TV/phone system)
Our biggest delay (aside from Covid) is the networking equipment which has been on backorder, with no delivery date cited.
We have since cancelled this order as we have found a comparable product that is in stock!
We are hoping for these to be delivered by end of April 2022 so we can begin to install the Bedrock WiFi in May.
Redesign ‘RockBox’
The initial proof of concept unit, while functional wasn’t perfect and the recent component shortages are also driving the price of the radios up.
We have decided to remove the small LCD display screens to simplify wiring, while this was a nice feature it was difficult to mount.
The advantage is the radio is slightly smaller and would therefore use less plastic to print.
To co-inside with our WiFi due to be installed within first half of 2022, we have also invested in four ‘off the shelf’ WiFi radios that we will set up and test with the Bedrock WiFi across the hospital. While we finalise and build our first live-trial ‘RockBox’ Radios.
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Meadow Court - Hospital Radio Install
Installing Hospital Radio
Meadow Court is a former Nursing Home, that has been transferred to NELFT and has since been converted to a inpatient physical rehabilitation building. The site is adjacent to NELFT operated Goodmayes Hospital & opposite King George Hospitals. NELFT contacted Bedrock Radio asking how our hospital radio services can be heard within the building, together we have been working on a solution to meet the needs of the hospital. This project is is inclusive, allowing all patients to listen to radio if they choose from the comfort from their own rooms.
The North East London Foundation NHS Trust have acquired Meadow Court, making it part of Goodmayes hospital providing physical health rehabilitation and care to patients.
Staff working at Meadow Court have asked if Hospital Radio can be heard in the three new wards, like it can in the main building.
Discussions with NEFLT resulted in a site visit with
Bedrock Radio Trustee Head Of Engineering, Lee meeting with relevant departments for a site tour.
Approximately 80 speakers would be required to service the entire building.
The Trust is looking for 80 speakers to service the patients, Bedrock Radio would like to add the capability for patients to select Bedrock Radio or Bedrock GOLD.
Due to the size of the system & it's complexity
Bedrock Radio has outsourced the design to Bosh.
The current plans & estimated equipment costs have been send back to NELFT as we now seek funding for the project.