West Midlands hospital patients could get free TV

Access to free TV channels could be offered to hospital patients in the West Midlands after it was revealed few could afford the high charges imposed by the private television and phone provider.

A report to Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust said patients were going without TV and phone calls, as they could not afford the charges. The pay-as-you-watch service was introduced at City Hospital in 2000, and at Sandwell Hospital in 2004.

Patients pay from £3.50 a day to £20 for seven days, to watch television.

The payments include outgoing calls to UK landlines. The incoming call rate is 49p during peak times and 39p off peak.

Hospital bosses said they were in talks with the provider to try to get some free stations introduced following low take-up across the sites.

In a report to the hospitals trust board, chief nurse Rachel Overfield said: "We are exploring potential deals with Patientline to secure free channels for all patients as many of our patients are unable to afford Patientline and therefore have no opportunity to view TV while in hospital."

Hospedia took over the running of Patientline in late 2008.

The combined telephone and entertainment systems offer TV, radio, games and internet access but have long been been criticised as expensive.

There have also been complaints about the way the system operates, with credit used up from the moment the system is activated, with no method of switching it off to save credit for later.

Patients and their families have welcomed the move to introduce free channels.

Councillor Elaine Costigan said: "My aunt, Marjorie Butler, was in Sandwell Hospital until very recently and spent the last 12 weeks of her life looking at the four walls. A lot of people in Sandwell can't afford to watch TV and make phone calls at these prices."

Steve Clarke, deputy director of facilities at Sandwell Hospital said: "The media service is very popular with patients but we are aware that some people find it expensive and we are talking to Hospedia about being able to provide cheaper packages."

Charlotte Collins, Hospedia spokeswoman, said: "We are in constant discussions with trusts and Government on ways to reduce charges for patients. Hospedia has made no profit and is operating at break even."

By Sally Walmsley