RX Radio began operating on the 1st of December 2016. The initiative aims to create a platform for communication between hospitalised children, their families, and health services by providing patients with the skills and support to produce and broadcast in-hospital radio programmes.

On Saturday, 19 May 2018, RX Radio celebrated one year of being on air.

The children presented live shows from 9am-3pm with pre-recorded shows airing from 3pm-9pm. Their parents, together with the RX Radio Reporters were there to share in the moment on the day.

Children in hospital commonly experience high levels of anxiety, isolation, fear and loneliness. These emotions are amplified when, as is frequently the case, there is little communication or consultation with them about their condition, diagnoses and treatment. Research demonstrates that children’s well-being in hospital can be significantly improved through access to stimulating age-appropriate recreational and educational activities. There is also increasing recognition of the value that a child’s perspective can offer, in order to improve hospital environments and experiences for children.

Child-produced radio is a rapidly developing field, with preliminary evidence pointing to many positive outcomes for both children and adults. While there are a number of children’s hospital radio stations globally, this will be the first in the world to involve patients as programme producers and presenters with the explicit aim of improving children’s experiences of hospitalisation.

RX Radio is a children’s hospital radio station, by and for children. It strives to empower all children at Red Cross Children’s Hospital, listening to stories about issues that are important to them.

To help sustain RX Radio, they welcome your financial support and this can be done by visiting www.rxradio.co.za