What is The Health Channel?
It is a communication service for the NHS to convey a wide range of information to patients on TV screens in waiting rooms.

How long has The Health Channel been running?
The Health Channel was developed and trialed over a twelve-month period before being launched officially in December 1991. Since then it has become a valued addition to many NHS waiting areas.

What does the programme comprise?
The programme plays on a continuous loop. It comprises:
individual practice information - the practice leaflet in a lively multi-media format and seasonal health promotion campaigns. For more information and examples visit The Programme section.

How often does the programme change?
This depends on which service you choose. Where a stand-alone media player is installed, a new programme containing seasonal health information is dispatched to each practice every two months - six programmes every year. The practice is also able to update their own information section with each new programme edition. Where an online media player is installed the practice can choose and download content to suit their needs.

Who determines the programme content?
The location information is provided by the practice and is collated by a hand written template form. The Health Channel creates the main body of the programme in collaboration with qualified health professionals, charities and other health related organisations.

What happens if we, as a practice, do not want a particular part of the programme?
In the rare instance of this happening, we would edit out this content for you.

Is there any advertising or sponsorship?
No.

Why isn't the music more lively or well known?
The programme's accompanying music is literally a "background". It is not meant to be a musical entertainment in it's own right. Some practices prefer to play their programmes silently. Either way, the programme is not affected. As an added bonus, this music is non-copyright and does not require a costly Performing Rights licence.

Why are the articles relatively short?
A waiting patient is unlikely to see the whole of the programme, unless waiting times are extremely long, and so items are kept to a reasonable length. Our research and evaluation of the programmes with hundreds of viewers proves that we have got the content, format and presentation right.

What does a NHS organisation need to do to be able to take The Health Channel service?
All a practice needs is a TV in the waiting area and either a stand-alone or networked media player. The Health Channel can arrange the supply and fitting of equipment.

So how do we join The Health Channel?
Contact us for further information and we will send you the necessary order forms and installation specification. enquiries@thehealthchannel.co.uk