Diabetes, Immunisation In The Spotlight On Hospital TVs
When Dave Macpherson was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes last year, he was unsure what to do.
But when the Hamilton city councillor learned he was entitled to a free check-up each year, he made an appointment with
his doctor and jumped at the chance to help Waikato District Health Board promote the service.
Dave features in two TV advertisements screening at Waikato and Thames hospitals from this week.
Waikato DHB director media and communications Mary Anne Gill said they are part of a series of 22 adverts created by the
DHB, with real people telling their stories about the decisions they have made for their health.
“We have one mother talking about immunisation, Dave talking about how annual diabetes check helps him, one woman
talking about how the hospital helped her quit smoking and another talking about her decision to lose weight for the
health of her heart.
“They are very moving and we hope will have a positive effect on viewers.
“Each advert tells viewers how they can get help too or where they can go for more information so we will have the
ability to measure the impact,” she said.
Some of the advertisements promote DHB services to patients and visitors, such as the shuttle and parking information,
and feature many hospital staff.
Hamilton city councillor and television personality Kay Gregory and The Breeze breakfast announcer Dave Grove also
provided their familiar voices for the adverts.
The advertisements will play on seven Health TV screens at Waikato Hospital, and one at Thames Hospital, in busy waiting
areas including Emergency, above elevators and in the surgical preadmission and women’s clinics – capturing a daily
audience of almost 1000 people.
Health TV is a TV network with sites currently located in medical centres and hospital waiting rooms nationwide. It
plays content aimed at entertaining, educating and engaging people while they wait.
Mrs Gill said the Health TV network allows them to choose which ad plays on which screen and at a certain time.
“So we can ensure that the ads are topical and relevant to the person watching.”
Nic Mortland, GM, Health TV is thrilled to provide its service across two Waikato DHB sites.
“They are the first DHB in the country to subscribe to our new enhanced service, with a customised TV channel for each
of the different waiting areas.”
Mr Mortland said they look forward to continuing the relationship to identify and evaluate how well the advertisements
are working
Mrs Gill said these first adverts are just the start for Waikato DHB’s Health TV plans.
“More adverts are already in the pipeline in time for winter,” she said.
ENDS