A voluntary radio station which broadcasted from Chase Farm Hospital for 47 years has been re-branded.

Radio Enfield was started at Chase Farm Hospital on May 24, 1970, with a two-hour Sunday evening request show.

But it has now been renamed Royal Free Radio, and it was marked with a historical timeline of photographs telling story of the station's past.

The station has also become part of the Royal Free Charity.

Chairman David Scarff, said: “Since Chase Farm became a part of the Royal Free, we have worked closely with the Royal Free Charity in publishing many of their fund-raising events and they have been helping us with various administrative tasks.

“As we were both providing a service to the patients, it made sense to merge and work together to make every patients’ experience the best it can be.

“Chase Farm is already part of the Royal Free London NHS Trust and North Middlesex University Hospital recently became the first member of the Royal Free London Clinical Group so it also made sense to re-brand the station as Royal Free Radio at all three sites.”

Station manager Andy Higgins, station engineer Andy Whiting, Treasurer Howard White and webmaster Martin Higgins have worked on new jingles, pre-recorded links, a new website and made local information relevant to each hospital.

Treasurer Howard White, said: “We had a lot of help and support from members of the Royal Free Charity to make sure the changeover went smoothly.”

Around 30 people volunteer as programme presenters, engineers, request collectors and studio helpers.

Programmes include record requests, local news, quizzes, hospital information, interviews with local organisations and individuals, and national news bulletins.

CEO of Royal Free Charity, Chris Burghes, said: “We are delighted that Radio Enfield has joined the Royal Free Charity as the entertainment they broadcast is highly valued by patients and staff.

“We are really looking forward to working with them and building on their 47 years of dedication and commitment, which is unrivalled in hospital radio.”

Programmes are free on channel 1 at the Royal Free and Chase Farm hospital, and on channel 0 at North Middlesex University Hospital.

The rebranding follows Chase Farm Hospital becoming a part of the Royal Free London NHS Trust, and North Middlesex University Hospital becoming part of the Royal Free London group as its first clinical partner.

Deborah Wheeler, North Middlesex University Hospital’s director of nursing and midwifery, said: “We’re delighted that Royal Free Radio will continue to entertain and delight our patients while they are in hospital.

“It’s a great tonic for them to hear their name and favourite music on air when they make a special request.

“We’re very grateful to the team who work so hard to make this possible.”

Request programmes are broadcast every night except Saturday between eight and 10pm.

Programmes can also be heard on www.royalfreeradio.co.uk and requests for patients sent by clicking the tab ‘Requests’ or telephoning 020