Made possible thanks to support from Woolworths and the Good Friday Appeal, The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) is keeping patients engaged, connected, and educated through RCH TV. 

Through the in-house TV shows Be Positive and Hospital Lingo, RCH TV helps to promote children’s understanding of hospital and healthcare experiences, while also empowering children and creating a positive hospital experience. 

In the past year, hundreds of patients have tuned in each week to watch Hospital Lingo from their hospital beds, with 731 winners since July 1 2024.  A child’s guide to hospital videos have received 86.6 million views on YouTube and they are watched in 176 countries (there are only 195 countries in the world). 

Be Positive

Be Positive (B+) is the Hospital’s in-house TV program helping kids find out more about the RCH. Host Carlie and her two curious puppet friends, Jazz and Rocco, help children and young people learn and understand more about hospital, including what might happen during their stay. It includes video series like A child’s guide to hospital, Get to know the people, and Get to know the RCH.  

In our video, A child’s guide to hospital: CAR T Cell Apheresis, the RCH TV team had the honour of featuring a remarkable young patient. This courageous individual took centre stage to provide firsthand insights into CAR T Cell Apheresis, offering a unique perspective from a child’s point of view. The involvement of this talented patient not only enriches the video content but also serves as a source of inspiration and comfort for other children facing similar medical journeys. 

Following the filming, the patient’s mother provided this quote: 

“Thank you again for offering my daughter such a wonderful opportunity today. There were times during her first relapse when she was in the depths of hell and had absolutely zero joy in her life. And yet, here she was today, recreating some of her treatment with such a big smile on her face. On the way home she was reflecting about all the great opportunities she’s had because of her cancer. I strongly believe that the positive opportunities she’s had at the RCH (like pursuing her passion for acting/film) have been a tonic for some of that trauma. So, I hope you know how much we appreciate your support and encouragement.” 

Hospital Lingo

Hospital Lingo is a live game show that airs three times a week directly to patient rooms. This educational game, which is like bingo but with the weird and wonderful things found in hospital, keeps patients engaged, connected and distracted while allowing them to win prizes. 

Since July 1 2024, there have been 731 winners of Hospital Lingo.

“Hospital Lingo is a game show that brings so much joy to children who find themselves in hospital. It is wonderful to witness how Hospital Lingo has helped many children who are initially scared about being in hospital to become empowered, confident and knowledgeable about their healthcare experience.  How lucky am I to be a part of a TV show that can change the experience of children in hospital for the better.” 

Carlie Alicastro, Child Life Therapist and Host, RCH TV.

As well as patients accessing the RCH TV resources in hospital, both via their TV and through the Child Life Therapy team, the resources are available and widely accessed by patients and families across Australia through the RCH website and YouTube.   

A child’s guide to hospital videos have received 86.6 million views on YouTube.  They are watched in 176 countries (there are only 195 countries in the world).

Impact Milestones

2023/2024

• Five educations A child’s guide to hospital… videos were created and published on topics including EEG, VEM, the Burns Clinic, and the MOCK MRI.  
• One video was produced specifically for nurses around confidentiality  
• A QR Code to access medical imaging specific A child’s guide to hospital videos were added to all medical imaging appointment letters. Data collection showed that with the QR Code, engagement increased by 38.2 per cent. Due to this success, a QR Code will now be added to all specialist clinic appointment letters.  
• Since July 1 2024, there have been 731 winners of Hospital Lingo  

2022/2023

• Seven educational videos were created and published for Be Positive (B+). They were published on the inpatient TV channel, the RCH TV website and the RCH YouTube channel.   
• Across this period, RCH TV segments attracted approximately 8.4 million views on the RCH YouTube channel.   
• Hospital Lingo continued to be broadcast every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On several occasions, inpatients were invited to come into the studio and guest host the show. Multiple parents wrote to the RCH TV team to share how impactful Hospital Lingo is for their children.  
• The content produced through RCH TV remains the most visible and utilised child centred content available from the RCH.   

2021/2022

• Five educational videos were created and published for Be Positive (B+). They were published on the inpatient TV channel, the RCH TV website and the RCH YouTube channel.   
• Across this period, RCH TV segments attracted approximately 14.5 million views on the RCH YouTube channel.   
• Hospital Lingo continued to be broadcast every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On several occasions, inpatients were invited to come into the studio and guest host the show, where possible with ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.