The evolution of entertainment options for Royal Adelaide Hospital patients has undergone significant changes over the years. Before the introduction of radio, patients at Adelaide Hospital relied on limited sources of entertainment such as musical groups and choirs visiting the wards, along with books and newspapers. The cost and fundraising efforts involved in bringing radios to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, the subsequent technological advancements, and the transition to modern bedside entertainment services have shaped the way patients access entertainment during their hospital stays.
Adelaide Radio – The Beginnings
In September 1897, Professor William Bragg conducted the first public demonstration of a working wireless telegraph apparatus at the University of Adelaide. Then in 1899, he achieved further success by operating a wireless telegraph spark system that connected the Observatory on West Terrace with a temporary station at Henley Beach. This remarkable accomplishment placed South Australia ahead of other Australian Colonies in the field of wireless communication.
As technology progressed, more people became interested in wireless communication, leading to the development of commercial radio. Significant advancements in wireless technology were achieved during World War I to satisfy military requirements. Following the war, many men who had received wireless training during their military service brought new enthusiasm to experimental activities.
In 1923, radio became available to the public through a ‘sealed set’ system of broadcasting. This involved listeners paying subscriptions to have their wireless ‘sealed’ to specific stations. Along with a government license fee. However, only four stations operated under this system, and just 1,400 listeners bought subscriptions, making it a significant failure. As a result, the ‘sealed’ system was replaced with an ‘open’ system in 1924.
Photograph courtesy of State Library of South Australia.
In Adelaide the first commercial wireless stations began broadcasting in 1924, captivating the public’s imagination, by bringing speech and music into their homes and in this case hospital, without any connecting visible wires.
Adelaide Hospital
Before the introduction of radio, entertainment options for Adelaide Hospital patients were quite limited. Besides books and newspapers, entertainment could include musical groups and choirs visiting the wards and, sometimes small ensemble of instruments would perform. At that time, patients typically had much longer hospital stays compared to today, often requiring a long period of recovery following surgery or sickness.
After the wireless became more publicly accessible, there was a push to introduce it to the hospital as a way to distract patients from their pain and boredom. It was felt that it would be a link to the outside world.
However, the average cost of a wireless in the late 1920’s was one hundred and twenty pounds plus. In 1928, it was estimated that the hospital required a radio base unit as well as 500 headphones and 10 loud speakers, all of which were well outside of the hospital budget at the time.
Fundraising
Radio Stations, philanthropical groups, and businesses began fund raising for equipment on the wards at the Adelaide hospital with wirelesses and headphones at each bed. For example radio stations 5CL Adelaide and 3LO Melbourne fund-raised to equip Adelaide and Victoria Ward. Individuals and hospital staff also donated to the cause.
A Committee was constituted to organise the project and The Postal Electricians Union offered to carry out the work free of charge. “
The committee resolved that the wiring up of the ophthalmic block and the installation of the receiving set should be first undertaken, and an expenditure up to 25 pounds was authorized.
The Register, 12 June 1928
The building opened in 1901 as the Infectious Diseases Ward, but was found unsatisfactory. The building then became the Ophthalmic Wards, where the male patients were downstairs, and the female patients upstairs.
There is little information available about the original system installed, but it seems to have been a more conventional radio with a single channel. The radio signal was distributed around the ward through high-impedance headphones.
Wireless has been installed in all of the wards at the Hospital, with the exception of Flinders and Light. The apparatus is proving a great boon to those patients who are able to avail themselves of this entertainment, a pair of head phones being installed at each bed. The Board very much appreciates the efforts of those concerned in the installation, the whole of the apparatus being purchased, and the work of installation being carried out free of cost to the Hospital. (List of people were included who donated towards the’ Wireless Fund’). Efforts are being made to equip Flinders and Light wards in a similar manner during the coming year.
Royal Adelaide Hospital Board Minutes, 1928
1940s Onward
Over time, as technology advanced, and with a growing concern regarding the transmission of germs, upgrades were made to the patient radio system at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. The hospital introduced air powered headphones made of hard plastic that allowed for easy cleaning between patients. However, according to Joshua Boxer (Historic Radio Society of SA), these headphones were very uncomfortable to wear. Additionally, the volume adjustment was not very refined, as it relied on an air valve that simply narrowed and cut of the airflow.
By the 1970s, the Royal Adelaide Hospital had adopted all-in-one handpieces, which were versatile devices allowing patients to change radio channels and volume, as well as call the nurse, change the light and if available, TV. These innovative handpieces provided a convenient and integrated way for patients to manage their surroundings and entertainment options from their hospital bed.
In the 1980s, the Royal Adelaide Hospital started providing patients with televisions, and by that time most people had their own small transistor radios, giving them full control over what they listened to. As a result, the hospital’s radio system was no longer needed and was not maintained. When the hospital upgraded and refreshed its wards, the radio systems were removed. By the turn of the 21st century, very few radios remained in operational wards.
Today
Today, at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, patients can enjoy bedside entertainment services provided by Telstra. These services include access to digital television, radio channels, on-demand movies, and internet access on a pre-paid basis. Also, each patient’s bedside device is equipped with a dedicated phone and phone number, allowing them to make and receive calls during their stay. These touch screen devices are available in every patient room, enabling patients to manage their in-room entertainment, contact nursing staff and easily order meals. Additionally, patients can also bring in their personal mobile phones and electronic devices to use while they are an in-patient.
Written by Margot Way, CALHN Health Museum
Information sourced from Joshua Boxer (Historic Radio Society of SA) Trove, CALHN Health Museum collection, and other online sources. Copies of all newspaper articles and other relevant documents are available on request).