In our endless quest to provide premium health care to those in need and pain, the healing effect of exposure to long-term quality broadcasting is often overlooked.

Yet the simple truth is if daytime television were subject to the same focus and resourcing that the NHS enjoys, a great deal of unnecessary suffering could be avoided.

Speaking as someone who himself has spent a great deal of the past few weeks in bed or curled up under a duvet on the living room sofa, I can vouch for the benefits of intelligent and discerning programming, especially between the hours of 8am and 6.30pm.

Of course, sometimes one feels so bad, so hopeless that even Jeremy Kyle can fill the void of suffering and loneliness, while other days Bargain Hunt or Doctors will suffice.

But if you really want to heal, either physically, emotionally or spiritually, might I suggest the following Freeview and terrestrial prescription… Start off your day with a simple but refreshing dose of Everybody Loves Raymond on Channel 4 at 8am, followed by Frasier at 8.30am (perfect for those susceptible to mood swings).

At 9am on the Yesterday channel, there’s a chance to re-acquaint oneself with the Antiques Roadshow (those recovering from cosmetic surgery should be cheered by Michael Aspel’s two-finger salute to ageing).

Come 10am, you’ll be ready to lose yourself in a bit of Hollywood, which means switching to More4 to catch their morning matinee.

5USA maintains the laughter quotient at noon every day with Whose Line Is It Anyway? and if you allow yourself half-an-hour to tend to other matters, this will ease you into the afternoon made-for-tv movie drama on either Channel 5 or 5USA.

Last week alone I was treated to a fascinating glimpse of a psychopath in the ballet killer thriller The Obsession and a thought-provoking drama starring the wonderfully monikered Amy Colon.

These films usually climax between 2.45pm and 3pm, allowing you to switch straight over to ITV4 to enjoy a little nostalgia with ex-Six Million Dollar Man Lee Majors in The Fall Guy, an everyday tale of a charming stunt man cum bounty hunter.

At 4pm of course, the world slides to a halt with Deal Or No Deal on Channel 4.

By 5pm, if the will to live is still strong, who could not be tempted by The Real Housewives Of New York City on ITV2+1, which sensitively spotlights the day-to-day challenges of six ordinary multi-millionaire women.

And finally, at 6pm (avoid the news at all costs), end the day chugging back a four-pack of satire with The Simpsons on Channel 4.

You know, I feel better already.