PATIENTS at Frimley Park Hospital can look forward to company around the clock thanks to a £30,000 boost to the hospital’s radio station.

About eight years of fundraising by volunteers at Radio Frimley Park has resulted in the unveiling of a newly refitted studio and 24-hour, seven-day-a-week broadcasting schedule.

Friends and family can now request a song online to dedicate to patients from the station’s extensive collection of tunes via its new website www.radiofrimleypark.co.uk.

The new site includes the latest hospital radio news, a brief history on the station and a breakdown of the programme schedule.

Volunteers at Radio Frimley Park, which has been running as a charity since 1996 and broadcasting for the past 30 years, hope the revamp will ease patients’ stay.

Station chairman Frank Chambers said: “Music really can be the best medicine and 24-hour broadcasting is something the charity has been striving towards for nearly a decade.

“Patients can listen to Radio Frimley Park for free at anytime on Channel 45 on the hospital entertainment system and we play requests and dedications from the thousands of tracks on our new computerised playout system.

“The new website will give the wider community a chance to find out more about what we do and who we are.

“Not only that but friends and family can request a track or a dedication online.”

Chris Bentley, who has presented Radio Frimley Park for four years, said volunteers who can spare time during the day are particularly needed to spread the word about the station on the wards.

“We are always looking for people to go round the wards and get patients involved in the quiz nights every Monday and Thursday night.

“Many patients don’t realise radio is free on their Patient Line system and need help registering. Anyone who can help with that or just spread the word about the station would be welcome.”

Anyone who wishes to volunteer should contact Malcolm Treen on 01252 876338 or e-mail secretary@radiofrimleypark.co.uk