Gibraltar News Online

The Environmental Safety Group (ESG) have today welcomed the decision by the Gibraltar Government to proceed with an independent epidemiological study.

In a brief statement this morning the ESG said the Government decison has “come about as a reaction to widespread concerns to what seems to be a high incidence of cancer and other diseases in this region”.

A spokesperson for the Gibraltar ecologist group said:

“This is considered to be as a result of exposure over time to high levels of pollution from a number of sources and a massive petrochemical installation and refinery in particular.

We have been advocating for this study for a number of years which has been one of the core campaigns of the group since its formation.”

The ESG statement concluded:

“As we have previously stated, we will assist in this process as best we can, whenever necessary”.

The ESG is a registered Gibraltar charity which works to safeguard the environment of Gibraltar and the Bay of Gibraltar area, including air, land and marine aspects.

The ESG campaign to protect our local ecology from pollution and contamination and to promote public safety in all matters relating to the welfare of our community.

Source: Environmental Safety Group (ESG) - Press Release - 29 May 2008

Epidemiological Study of the Bay Area Welcomed by PDP

The Progressive Democratic Party have also welcomed the Gibraltar Government’s announcement today.

A statement from Gavin Gafan, the PDP’s spokesman on Environment issues, said they “welcome the Government’s commitment to embark on an independent epidemiological study of the impact on health that bay industries are having on our community”.

Mr Gafan added that “the commissioning of such an official study is long overdue”.

Emphasising their own commitment to suppor this study, Mr Gafan said:

“The PDP has previously stated its own commitment to support the carrying out of comprehensive studies of this nature and has urged Government to do so for some time. It is happy to assist Government in such an endeavour.

Concern about the health effects of continuous emissions of toxic material from industries on both sides of the frontier have been a long-standing issue among citizens.

Recent independent studies, such as the report compiled by Denny Larson and the Environmental Safety Group have already highlighted the dangerous emission levels of specific carcinogens such as benzene emanating from the CEPSA refinery.”

Source: Progressive Democratic Party - Press Release - 29 May 2008

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“The dangers to health and property of spray emissions in the New Harbours area must be controlled” say PDP

The Progressive Democratic Party issued a statement today warning on “the dangers to health and property of spray emissions in the New Harbours area” saying that these “must be controlled”.

Dr Gavin Gafan, the PDP spokesperson on environment issues said “the over-spray of paint and other such chemicals, that many residents complain originate from both the ship repair yard and the various construction projects in the south district, has been a long standing issue with residents of the area”.

Dr Gafan added that “these must be better controlled as they pose a serious risk to health and regularly damage property”.

“It is unclear which site is specifically the cause of these emissions and nuisance to health. What is clear is that if this over-spray is causing damage to the exterior of cars parked in the area, there is a real risk that long term damage to health will be suffered by residents of the area breathing in such emissions.”

The PDP statement said that they welcome the “much needed housing developments and understand that the ship repair yard is an important part of Gibraltar’s economy”, but in a note of warning to the Government, added:

“Nevertheless, suitable operational and building techniques should be put into place that ensure that no health risks or damage to property are caused by such activities.”

The PDP are calling on the Government “to make clear what measures are being taken by both the Government and the Environmental Agency to prevent any further incidence of this serious source of pollution from further inconveniencing and endangering the residents of the area”.

Source: Progressive Democratic Party - Press Release - 29 May 2008

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Bay of Gibraltar Air Pollution • Gibraltar Government announces Epidemiological Study plans

Following years of pressure by the Environmental Safety Group (ESG), La Plataforma por el Estudio Epidemiológico and other local Gibraltar and Spanish ecologist groups, the Government of Gibraltar, in a surprise move, today finally announced plans to conduct an epidemiological study of Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar area.

The surprise announcement comes in a statement issued by the Government Press Office today, in which they state that the Government has, for some time, been exploring the possibility of undertaking a comprehensive and independent epidemiological study of cancer prevalence and cancer risk in Gibraltar and the surrounding region.

The Government statement adds that they had intended to undertake this study jointly with the Spanish Authorities for the Andalucian region. However, the Government says that due to a lack of response from some of the relevant Spanish Authorities and continuing public concern, they have been compelled to undertake the study alone.

The statement added that they will “not necessarily restrict the study to Gibraltar, but would take full account of the available information for the region”.

The Government said that they initiated the process of “seeking proposals for a research project from credible institutions with a track record in environmental cancer epidemiology” some time ago.

The two main aims of the study that the Government announcement today proposes are:

• To establish whether Gibraltar and its region are a high-risk community for cancer, due to its location within the vicinity of potential sources of environmental exposure or health hazards, resulting in unacceptable levels of exposure to contaminants or pollutants.
• To establish whether there actually exists an incidence of cancer greater than is normal.

The Government statement added that “although the aims have been tightly specified, researchers are being briefed that they underline the need to paint a broader picture of the health and environmental safety of the area, with wider related questions needing to be addressed”, such as:

• Is there evidence to suggest a greater incidence of diseases other than cancer but known to be related to an excessively prevalent environmental pollutant(s)?
• Is there an increased incidence of a type of cancer not knowingly linked to environmental pollutants?
• If an environmental cancer risk is found, can it be related to a particular industry or activity?

The Governemtn also said they expect that “any such discoveries will be highlighted and followed up as far as possible within the scope of the intended study”.

A spokesperson for the Government Press Office added:

“Some of the world’s best research institutions with simultaneous expertise in cancer causation, environmental risk assessment and geographical epidemiology have been selected and invited to submit proposals to carry out the study independently of the Government.”

The Government statement concluded with the hope that the Junta de Andalucia and the Mancomunidad de Municipios, the Community of Municipalities of the Campo de Gibraltar “will join it (the Government of Gibraltar) in commissioning this epidemiological study”.

Source: Gibraltar Government Press Release - 28 May 2008 - No: 131/2008

Years of Campaigning for Epidemiological Study finally pays off

The announcement by the Gibraltar Government today follows a long campaign which has involved years of discussions and numerous activities and demonstrations organised by Gibraltar ecologists, the Environmental Safety Group (ESG) as part of the La Plataforma por el Estudio Epidemiológico and other local Gibraltar and Spanish ecologist groups, who have maintained constant pressure on the various local Governments and authorities, urging them to conduct just such an epidemiological study of Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar area, as has been finally announced today.

In May 2007, following a cross-border demonstration in November 2006, Gibraltar ecologists the Environmental Safety Group (ESG), in conjunction with La Plataforma por el Estudio Epidemiológico organised a Petition, (including an Online Petition run by Gibraltar News Online), which called for Epidemiological Studies to be carried out in Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar area. Over 13,000 signatures were submitted to the Gibraltar Government and the Comision Mixta de Colaboracion, asking them to fulfill their pledge to jointly fund a rigorous, independent epidemiological study in the area.

Last year, in the run up to the Gibraltar General Elections in October, the ESG published a ‘Greening Agenda’ stating their recommendations for the parties disputing the Election. It reminded whichever party was elected to Government to support the ESG’s complaint with the European Commission regarding the dangerous operational standards of the CEPSA Oil Refinery and associated petrochemical installations. They added that MEP’s and MP’s from the UK, were also lending support to “what is clearly a regional environmental problem”.

A report from Bay Bucket Brigade and veteran environment campaigner Denny Larson, on the CEPSA Oil Refinery, which was produced after a visit to the site with Neil Parish MEP, was submitted to the EU Environment Commission a few weeks ago.

In his report, Denny Larson said the European Union “needs to consider urgent action with regard to threats to public health and environment in the region”, as a result of the Cepsa Refinery. The report’s introduction says:

“Given the detailed information supplied in this document which confirms the steady expansion undertaken by the CEPSA oil refinery over the last decade and a half nullifying its ‘Grandfather Clause Status’ additional information is provided here which underlines the need for an independent inspection by the European Commission for compliance to highest European environmental standards by CEPSA in order to safeguard the health of populations and surrounding environment.”

Denny Larson’s report can be viewed/downloaded here: Report on CEPSA visit by Denny Larson

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Now this sounds like good fun… and a great cause too… raising funds for Childline Gibraltar

It’s a Treasure Hunt and BBQ… Starting and finishing at the Celebrity Restaurant, Ocean village Promenade. It’s happening on Friday, June 20, 2008 and you need to be there for 7:00pm… if you don’t want to be disappointed!

Nothing too complicated… and it’s all happening in the general town area… all on foot, so get your team together and make sure you dont miss it! (maximum of four people per team)

It sounds like great value at £20 per person, including the BBQ… and as I said, all in a very good cause in aid of Childline Gibraltar.

To enter your Team or for further info phone: (00 350) 20043503 or email: treasure@bis.gi

Good hunting!

Childline Gibraltar

Childline Gibraltar is a charity registered with the Gibraltar Board of Charity Commissioners. Its registration number is 170. It provides a free and confidential helpline service for Children, young people and adults. Its mission is to end cruelty to children in Gibraltar.

Childline Gibraltar’s vision is a society in which all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. In other words, a society that will not tolerate child abuse - whether sexual, physical or emotional,

Calls to the Helpline 8008 are dealt with by Helpline Volunteers who are all trained to a high standard. They don’t just deal with calls about child abuse. They can help with a range of problems experienced by children and young people, such as bullying, relationship problems, drugs etc. As well as providing advice, they also provide a listening ear to help you think through your issue.

A call to the Helpline can help stop a difficult situation getting out of control. All calls are free, whether you call from a landline or mobile, including mobile phones using reload cards.

Childline Gibraltar can be contacted by dialling the Helpline: 8008 - this is a freefone number. More information can be obtained via their website.

If you feel a child is in immediate danger - Call the Police - Just Dial: 199

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Gibraltar Equality Rights Group GGR announced today that Felix Alvarez, the group’s Chairman, has been appointed European Coordinator for an internationally based human rights organisation.

This organisation is the Beirut-based Foundation for the Defense of Prisoners of Conscience (Syria) (FDPOC). Mr Alvarez’s main role will be in strategizing their campaigns with EU institutions in Brussels and networking with other international and EU human Rights NGOs and foundations.

Confirming the announcement today, Mr Alvarez commented:

“My work in Gibraltar will continue. However, it is true to say that responsibilities on the international front increasingly require my attention.”

The Director of the FDPOC, Mr Wissam Tarif, explained that Mr Alvarez “will contribute to the Foundation’s work in various ways”.

“Mr Alvarez’s credentials and standing across the whole spectrum of political and human rights issues, as well as his depth of regional knowledge and connections, will be a very real asset.

In this role, Mr Alvarez will be working closely with European politicians in order to augment EU external policy toward the Middle East focusing particularly on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, exploring more efficient ways of making EU funds spent in the Middle East work in favour of EU policy goals.”

In their statement today, Mr Tarif concludes that “FDPOC and I are glad to have Felix on board our international team”.

“We are looking forward to working with him in the coming weeks and months in London and Europe during the course of joint meetings with a range of policy makers, think tanks and Middle East regional experts.”

Director Tarif, who is of Lebanese nationality, is both a staunch pro-democracy campaigner and a well-regarded political analyst with strong ties in regional diplomatic circles, as well as a known media commentator and writer. He has coordinated human rights issues within Arab political circles and NGOs, the White House and the European Union and is a frequent visitor to London, Berlin, Brussels and Washington DC. He is considered a policy expert on Syrian affairs.

The FDPOC’s mission, as described on their website, is to bring to the attention of the international community the shameful and inhuman treatment being meted out by the Government of Syria to dissidents and diverse human rights activists.

“On this website you will see details of just a few of the victims of the undemocratic Syrian regime. We urge you to press your representatives to not turn a blind eye to what is happening to these - and to so many other - conscientious individuals fighting for their human, political and social rights in Syria.

None of these people or their loved ones deserves to suffer or to be in jail, and much less to be tortured. The Syrian authorities should free them without further delay. They must allow their people the basic freedom to speak and express themselves in their own country.”

Source: Equality Rights Group GGR Press Release - 26 May 2008

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A former paratrooper who had a sex change operation has won a payout of £250,000 for hurt feelings after she was ordered to wear a man’s uniform to a medical examination, reports Andy Bloxham writing in today’s Telegraph.co.uk.

Jan Hamilton, 43, used to be Captain Ian Hamilton and served in Bosnia and Afghanistan and was wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq.

She then began gender reassignment surgery and claimed she made repeated requests to discuss the transition with her superiors.

However, Miss Hamilton said she was summoned to attend a compulsory medical examination in April 2007 while wearing her male uniform.

A £45,000-a-year job as the head of Army media relations in Gibraltar was then withdrawn, which she claimed was as a result of her sex change.

Miss Hamilton, who had refused to attend the medical, began legal action against the Ministry of Defence for sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal. She said:

“It would have been humiliating and demeaning for me to turn up for my medical examination dressed in a man’s uniform.”

The MoD then decided to pay her the £250,000 in an out-of-court settlement.

The size of the payout is likely to anger campaigners for better compensation for those injured in the line of duty. According to current MoD settlements, soldiers receive £57,000 for the loss of a leg and £285,000 for the loss of both arms or legs.

Miss Hamilton said:

“I’m now looking forward to a future outside the Parachute Regiment.”

A spokesman for the MoD said:

“Jan Hamilton has decided to bring her service with the armed forced to an end and is pursuing other career opportunities.”

Source: Telegraph.co.uk > Article > Sex change Paratrooper wins £250,000 for ‘hurt feelings’

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In the final game of the Four Nations Semi-Professional Tournament at Park Hall Oswestry in Wales yesterday, Gibraltar were 1-0 ahead at half-time but unfortunately the game ended in disappointment for Gibraltar, losing 2-4 to Scotland.

In the deciding game of this year’s Four Nations Tournament, Paul Fairclough led his England side to a second successive Four Nations triumph - courtesy of a 3-0 victory over tournament hosts Wales.

Gibraltar v Scotland - Match Report

Scotland manager Neil Mackintosh praised his charges for coming back from a goal down twice to defeat Gibraltar thanks to a late double from Brora Rangers midfielder Sam Mackay.

The teenager came off the bench to round-off a fine second-half performance from the Scots who overran their opponents in the closing stages of the first semi-professional Four Nations match to have been played on an artificial surface.

Mackintosh said “Gibraltar were a different team for us to play as they had a Spanish influence to their play”.

“They were very keen to push men forward en masse and at one stage they were playing with four up front and we didn’t deal with it.”

Scotland went in at the break a goal down after Keith centre back Kris Niddrie’s foul allowed Brian Perez to slot home a penalty which Niddrie’s team-mate Andy Shearer could do little about.

They reacted well in the second half following a few choice words from Mackintosh and his assistant, SFA North regional development manager Graeme Sutherland.

Having struck the bar just before half-time the Scots’ player of the tournament, and Highland League young player of the year Paul Coutts fired a beauty past the athletic Kieran Macedo to pull Scotland level in the 58th minute.

Confusion at a near-post corner allowed Adolf Anes to put Gibraltar back in front but Shaun MacAuley rattled a 78th minute leveller from outside the area.

Sam Mackay grabbed the limelight, coming in from the left to score a third and then fourth goal to clinch the win and third place in the tournament.

Four Nations Tournament 2009 to be held in Gibraltar?

Despite finishing the 2008 tournament with the wooden spoon, guest nation Gibraltar by no means disgraced themselves, after pushing Wales, England and Scotland close at this years competition in North Wales, said a spokesperson for the the4nations.com website.

Many will hope that the Rock can host the next Four Nations Tournament in 2009, after Gibraltar FA President Joey Nuñez told the4nations.com:

“We would be very pleased to host this tournament in Gibraltar.”

In an interview on the the4nations.com website, Mr Nuñez was asked what the tournament means to the Gibraltar FA?

“I am exceedingly delighted for the Gibraltar team to have been invited to this prestigious tournament.”

Mr Nuñez added:

“It is possibly the highest ranking tournament that we have ever played in and I look forward to competing against sides of such a high calibre.”

The GFA President was also asked what is the current status of Gibraltar’s application to join UEFA?

“It is a very difficult situation as, at the moment, we are isolated from the world footballing community, something which has been spurned by political motives.

To be a part of the Four Nations Tournament is like manna from heaven.

Our case is currently before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. We have already won two cases against UEFA from the Court of Arbitration for Sport but UEFA have ignored the Court’s decision that our application to join UEFA is good and proper.

In February 2008 the Gibraltar FA began a legal proccess to recover compensation from UEFA and we are currently awaiting judgement.”

For more updates and information and to view the final tournament table visit the Four Nations Tournament 2008 website.

Sources: The Four Nations Tournament 2008 / Aberdeen Journals > The Press and Journals

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Rhyl’s Craig Jones was the star of the show as his hat-trick helped Wales to a convincing victory over a lively and enthusiastic Gibraltar side at Belle Vue on Thursday night.

The result means Wales lie second in the Four Nations Semi-Professional Tournament table behind England, who scraped another 1-0 win over Scotland.

Saturday’s final game at Belle Vue between Wales and England will be the championship decider. The English need only a draw to keep their crown, but a Wales win would see them finish top.

Earlier this week, Gibraltar lost 1-0 to England.

Thursday’s clash saw Welsh manager Tony Pennock hand starts to Jones, who came on as a late sub in the 1-1 draw with Scotland, and Bangor City’s Les Davies, who did not feature at all against the Scots.

The move certainly worked for as well as Jones’ trio of goals, the influential Davies scored twice himself in a blistering first half display from the hosts.

While Cymru were guilty of poor finishing at times against Scotland, they were sharp and ruthless against the Rockmen.

Gibraltar had impressed two nights earlier in a narrow 1-0 defeat against England and certainly had their moments at Rhyl, but they paid the price for defensive naiveity, especially from set pieces.

Wales took a third minute lead when a blistering shot by Davies from 20 yards was kept out by visiting keeper Jordan Perez, but the quicksilver Craig Jones was first to the loose ball and he made it 1-0.

In the seventh minute a Paul Keddle cross was met by a powerful header from Chad Bond, but this time Perez was able to tip on to the bar and over.

Three Wales corners followed and from the third of them by Llanelli’s Craig Jones, his Rhyl namesake headed in at the far post.

Wales were unstoppable at this point. Bond latched on to a through ball from Chris Thomas but blasted wide, then Davies was off target with a header from a centre by Rhyl’s Jones.

Lee Casciaro had a golden chance for Gib from a corner but hurriedly thundered over, then Al Green made sweet music with a fierce drive to the near post which Lee Idzi did well to hold.

Davies tested Perez before Wales went 3-0 up on 31 minutes. Llanelli’s Jones crossed from the left and Davies arrived like a battering ram to head home.

Two minutes later it was the same combination, Davies heading into the left hand corner.
Chris Venables’ free-kick was pushed over by the overworked Perez, but then right on half time the visitors pulled one back.

Idzi brought down the pacy Casciaro in the box and referee Karl Evans had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, Brian Perez confidently firing home.

This gave Gibraltar the boost they needed and the early stages of the second half saw them threaten up front with the combined speed and skills of Green and Casciaro most prominent.

The pair must have decided ‘let’s stay together’ as in the 55th minute Casciaro slipped a lovely pass to Green whose shot found its way into the bottom corner, although Idzi should have perhaps done better.

On the hour Casciaro was clean through, but this time Idzi blocked well with his legs. Had Gib made it 4-3 at that point it could have made things very interesting.

Bond stabbed wide on six yards before the ex-Port Talbot man was chopped down in the area by Chisum Sanchez and Wales were awarded a spot-kick in the 73rd minute. Craig Jones stepped up to calmly find the left hand corner to complete his hat-trick and make it 5-2.

Wales added a sixth on 80 minutes when Rhyl’s Jones crossed low from the left, substitute Rhys Griffiths should have finished, but the ball ran to Bond who had the easiest of tasks to find the empty net.

Gibraltar’s players did their territory proud and their national anthem, which was warmly applauded, must rate as one of the finest pieces of music heard at Belle Vue since Ian Johnson blasted out Barclay James Harvest.

Wales Team: 21. Lee Idzi, 2. Chris Thomas, 3. Paul Keddle, 4. Danny Parslow (captain), 6. Lee Surman, 7. Chris Venables, 11. Les Davies, 15. Craig Jones (Llanelli), 16. Paul Fowler, 17. Craig Jones (Rhyl), 18. Chad Bond. .

Wales Subs: 1. Paul Pritchard, 5. Gethin Jones, 8. Adrian Harris, 9. Rhys Griffiths, 10. Graham Evans, 12. Kyle Critchell, 14. Michael Byrne.

Wales Scorer(s): Craig Jones (Rhyl) ‘2, ‘9 & ‘72(pen) minutes, Les Davies ‘31 & ‘33 minutes, Chad Bond ‘80 minutes.

Gibraltar Team: 13. Jordan Perez, 3. Brendon Perez, 4. Roy Chipolina, 8. Wayne Asquez, 10. Daniel Duarte, 11. Aaron Asquez, 15. Lee Casciaro, 16. Robert Gulling, 17. Al Green, 19. Brian Perez.

Gibraltar Subs: 1. Keiron Macedo, 2. Ryan Casciaro, 6. David Duarte, 7. Adolf Anes, 9. Robert Montovio, 12. Chisum Sanchez, 18. John-Paul Duarte.

Gibraltar Scorer(s): Brian Perez ‘43minutes, Al Green ‘55 minutes.

Attendance: 202 - Referee: Karl Evans (England)

A win by the Gibraltar team in the last game of the tournament against Scotland on Saturday 24th May 2008 will avoid Gibraltar left holding the wooden spoon. Here’s hoping they can put in a good performance. Good luck Gibraltar!

Sources: icNorth Wales> Sport > Four Nations Tournament Report / The Four Nations Tournament 2008 - 23 May 2008

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Able Rate Lisa Ryan grew up in Gibraltar and then joined the Royal Navy. Following her basic and trade training she finds herself posted… back to Gibraltar.

During her last year at Westside Comprehensive School, Lisa attended a careers fair and, on family’s advice, she looked long and hard at careers in the Services. After a familiarisation visit to HMS Rooke, Gibraltar’s Naval establishment, she decided to join the Navy and went off to Plymouth for the various entry tests.

“I started my basic training at HMS Raleigh last November and, although the training was hard, I did enjoy it,” said Lisa.

“I passed out at the end of January and then I went straight to my professional course – which was also at Raleigh.”

Lisa has trained to be a steward and, although she was hoping for a posting to Gibraltar, she was told that everyone would be posted to a ship for their first draft.

To her disappointment, Lisa heard everyone else on the course being told which ship they’d been posted to but, when it came to her turn, she was told that she couldn not join the ship she had been drafted to, HMS Albion, untill July. Then she got a surprise:

“The Petty Officer then told me that I’d be sent to Gibraltar for a couple of months until I could join Albion.

I think they did it just to give me the chance to see my family again before I go to sea. And I arrived here to start work on my seventeenth birthday!”

“She’s certainly been thrown in at the deep end”, said warrant Officer Dave Green, the Rooke Officers’ Mess manager.

“On her first day at work she worked at CBF’s Annual Reception and, as we have a very busy few weeks ahead, she’ll get some excellent experience whilst she’s here.”

“My Nan and my family were delighted to see me back in Gib,” explained Lisa.

“But when I’m in town wearing my uniform, no-one seems to recognise me. It might be because I know I’ve grown up a lot during the seven months that I was away.”

Source: HQ British Forces Gibraltar - Media Ops Press Release - 21 May 2008 - Ref: SIG/05/17

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The Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) have welcomed a new Hospital Radio Internet Service which was recently launched locally.

A group of volunteers have created the new service which is aimed at in-patients at St Bernard’s Hospital.

Patients can now listen to goodwill messages from family and friends with music requests, religious services, local news and other forms of entertainment from the existing patient entertainment system at the hospital.

The new Radio service will stream recordings from other hospitals in the UK and will record local content for streaming to hospitals in the UK. This medium will enable Gibraltarian patients receiving treatment in UK hospitals to receive messages from their families in Gibraltar while at the same time promoting Gibraltar across the UK,

Mr Paul Jennett, who has been involved for many years in providing entertainment at discos and parties, developed the idea after moving to Gibraltar with his family. Launching the new service, Mr Jennett commented:

“I decided to think of a way so that patients away from Gibraltar would not feel so lonely, missing their family and friends. A hospital radio station was the answer.

Because people in the UK pride themselves in their hospital radios, this would no doubt be a good medium to get messages from family and friends to Gibraltar patients in the UK seeking treatment.

Our motto is Treating Patients with Good Radio, let’s hope we do just that!”

The radio station will be running 24hrs a day, with a play out system when presenters are not available and a call is being made for volunteers to assist in the running of the station.

The Minister for Health, Mrs Yvette Del Agua, in welcoming this initiative, added:

“Across the world, volunteers are welcomed and encouraged to form part of the healthcare team, working with patients and staff to enhance the quality of care.

We are lucky that in Gibraltar we have so many individuals willing to give up their time to assist others in less fortunate circumstances.”

A web site has been created so assist the station with requests from the community and can be accessed here: Hospital Radio Gibraltar (HRG) Internet Service

Every fancied being a Radio Presenter?

HRG also need Volunteers to help them… so why not be part of great radio station here in Gibraltar? HRG need all types of people over the age of 16. Why not be a presenter or visit the wards on the hospital for patient requests, or maybe help with their events and fundraising activities? There are many things that they need help with. If you want to volunteer, please visit this page and fill in the form and tell them what you are interested in: Hospital Radio Gibraltar > Volunteer

Source: Gibraltar Government Press Office / Gibraltar Health Authority - Press Release - 12 May 2008 - No: 111/2008

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