PLEASE don’t stop the music is the message NHS Tayside workers have delivered to bosses amidst a radio licensing row.
Staff across the health board have hit out after bosses banned the use of radio in some working areas.
NHS Tayside chiefs say the health board does not hold the relevant licence to allow radio broadcasts on the premises and claimed purchasing one would be poor use of public funds.
One staff member, who did not want to be named, said: “We had a radio for years and it was fine but then someone came in and said that we shouldn’t be listening to it just before Christmas and they stopped it because we didn’t have a licence.
“It’s a really bad environment to work in. You don’t realise just how much you miss something like the radio until it is taken away.”
Colin Coupar, regional organiser for the Unite trade union, said he was aware of the licensing issue.
He added: “We haven’t been asked to raise it as yet. There are three important points. Are people in offices infringing licensing rules? I wouldn’t say that is public broadcasting. I would also query who has actually complained about this. The third is whether or not this is actually impacting on the work people do — if it is then it is legitimate action.”
An NHS Tayside spokeswoman said staff can listen to music through headphones if their job allows.
She said: “At a time when we are focusing on protecting funding to frontline services to ensure we continue to deliver person-centred, safe and effective patient care, purchasing a music licence for the organisation is not considered the best use of public funds. Playing music without a licence is an infringement of copyright and NHS Tayside could ultimately face legal proceedings if any sites were noncompliant.
“However, no licence is required where background music is used in treatment and therapy areas within hospitals or clinics. This includes areas used by patients.”