The calming influence of music in hospital wards for patients and staff could be under threat unless cash-strapped NHS trusts are given help to cover the cost of licences, says UNISON today (Monday).
A motion passed this morning at the union’s annual health conference in Edinburgh warned budget constraints are putting free music under threat.
The union says radio and other music services within hospitals are an important aid for reducing stress in waiting rooms, in recovery and to improve the work environment for staff. But the cost of the relevant licence can be more than £50,000 a year.
UNISON says individual trusts should not be left to decide whether to pay up or sacrifice what is seen as a welcome distraction for visitors and workers alike.
Instead, the union is calling on the NHS to find a solution that would avoid jeopardising the musical soundtrack. This could involve using central funding or negotiating an umbrella licence covering all hospitals across the UK, to ease the burden.
Some hospitals have dedicated radio stations to broadcast music, song requests and community information. Run by volunteers, services have been used to reduce isolation, anxiety and even pain, says UNISON.
However, they are all subject to an annual fee* to enable music to be played. The cost means some NHS trusts – especially those operating across multiple sites – are reviewing whether they play music or do away with it altogether.
They include Cornwall Acute Health which has recently backed down – following a campaign by staff – on a decision to slash its music licence to cut costs.
UNISON says Cornwall has an increasing population of older people who are less likely to have – or cannot afford – personal devices to play music so they would miss out if they had to spend time in hospital.
NHS Birmingham and Solihull has stopped funding hospital radio altogether in a bid to make efficiency savings. The station, BHBN Radio, in Birmingham has been broadcasting for more than 70 years but is now involved in a fundraising campaign in an effort to keep running.
UNISON head of health Helga Pile said: “Music within hospitals is a vital service that must be protected for the benefit of patients and staff.
“Listening to music can relieve tension and support wellbeing for everyone, whether they’re on a dementia ward or busy fielding admin enquiries.
“It also enhances the working environment for staff, and connects those undergoing treatment with the outside world, giving them a bit of companionship.
“A centralised licence could drive down costs for trusts.”
UNISON Cornwall Acute Health branch chair Ian Eddy who tabled the motion said: “Music is a calming influence for everyone. It’s important for trusts to listen so that patients and staff can too.”
Notes to editors:
–*Workplaces that enable recorded music to be played in public need a licence from PPL PRS, a joint venture between the UK’s two music licensing organisations Phonographic Performance Ltd and PRS for Music.
– UNISON’s annual health conference runs from today (Monday) to Wednesday 15 April 2026 at Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh EH3 8EE. The union’s general secretary Andrea Egan will be giving her keynote speech this afternoon. Health workers from across the UK will be in attendance to debate a variety of motions including pay, a greener NHS, support for migrant workers, mental health, sexual safety, problems with NHS salary scales, and safe staffing.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union and the largest union in the NHS and in the ambulance sector, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Dan Ashley M: 07789 518992 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
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