IT’S FREE – that’s not a phrase you hear very often and genuinely it really is free – with no after-sales pitch.

I would like to tell you about the modern digital Hospedia kit that has been installed in half the wards at Southampton General Hospital and at the Princess Anne Unit.

All the radio programmes are 100 per cent free of charge. On the new digital units all you have to do is press the Pink button to “sign in”

to access the TV and telephone services – but it will not cost you a penny to sign in.

Next, press the “radio button”

and you can enjoy listening to the radio while you are temporarily confined to your hospital bed – absolutely free of charge.

Then if you pick up the telephone and press the “blue button” you will be connected free of charge to the Southampton Hospital Radio telephone line.

Our radio studio is away from the hospital, alongside Tesco in Millbrook and you will be connected directly to us.

Unfortunately, there are no volunteers to answer your call during the daytime – but please leave a message – or a call in the evening will be answered with a smile (also free).

What happens then . . . we will play your own selected piece of music on our Requestline programme between 8.30 and 9.30 in the evening.

Do call us – we like to play the music of your choice and we guarantee it is all FREE, a rare pleasure in these times and the call is free on the new equipment.

If you are on the analogue system then do please call us anyway – sorry but that’s not a free call, our number is 023 8078 5151.

We’re waiting for your call.

ROY STUBBS, president, Southampton Hospital Radio.