Hospital Radio Perth is famed for the quality of its outside broadcasts. So it's no surprise that we are preparing for the launch of the new Concert Hall in Perth's Horse Cross. In the past we have relayed our sound live from Perth City Hall by means of a fixed FM radio link; however, for a variety of reasons, that won't be possible in the new hall.

Perth and Kinross Council have been very aware of our situation and our desire to provide broadcasts from the new facility and are working with us to find a resolution. At the moment it seems probable that we will relay our signal back to the studios via a private internet conection. It's all very hi-tech and the council and HRP computer experts are currently agreeing protocols and procedures. Meanwhile, we are fund-raising to allow us to finance the computer equipment that we will need in the studio.

It's a very exciting project which, once operational, will be the first of its kind in the country. The vision to build a £20 million Concert Hall was part of Perth's Millennium celebrations. You can find out more about the new venue HERE.

One of the priorities for our studios is to install an air conditioning system. Our studios have always been subject to extremes of temperature, but since we clad the walls with sound absorbent materials the situation has become much more pressing.

In the winter the rooms tend to be a bit too cold to work in, but in the summer - even when the weather is relatively cool, the temperature becomes unbearably hot.

We are currently looking at a system that will offer heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. It won't be cheap but it seems to be our only option.

One of our long term aims is to be able to convey our service to the many patients resident in the community hospitals throughout Perth and Kinross.

We have no doubt that our service would be well received, however, to date we have been unable to find a financially viable way to broadcast our signal up to 30 miles, 24 hours a day.

We do have a number of options open to us and we are currently looking at a method which might just work. Let's hope so!

The health and safety of our members is protected at law. Hospital Radio Perth has a duty to protect its members, as far as reasonably practicable, and keep them informed on health and safety matters. Its members also have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or don't do.

Hospital Radio Perth takes its health and safety obligations very seriously. Our policy statement is reproduced below and our full policy is available to all members.

You might think that all this is a little over the top for a small charitable organisation - and it is certainly a lot of work. However we must always remember that the health and safety of our members, our listeners and members of the public that we come into contact with should be our top priority.

At present we are in the process of producing guidelines on a variety of health and safety issues such as:

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT

Health And Safety At Work Etc Act 1974

This is the Health And Safety Policy statement of

HOSPITAL RADIO PERTH

Our statement of general policy is:

• To provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our activities;
• To consult with our members on matters affecting their health and safety;
• To provide and maintain safe plant and equipment;
• To ensure safe handling and use of substances;
• To provide proper information, instruction and supervision for members;
• To ensure all members are competent to do their tasks, and to give them adequate training;
• To prevent accidents and cases of ill health arising from the organisation’s activities;
• To maintain safe and healthy operating conditions; and
• To review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals, or upon change of Chair