A firm that provides phone services at thousands of NHS hospital bedsides is to increase the cost of calls by 160%.
A firm that provides phone services at thousands of NHS hospital bedsides is to increase the cost of calls by 160%.
Previously, calls made by NHS patients through Patientline phones cost 10p per minute, but that will now rise to 26p.
Previously, calls made by NHS patients through Patientline phones cost 10p per minute, but that will now rise to 26p.
Patientline, which is a private company, told the BBC it had invested £160m in the system and needed to recoup its costs and make a profit.
Patientline, a private company, told the BBC it had invested £160m in the system and needed to recoup its costs and make a profit.
In 2005, the firm was investigated by regulators over its charges, but was cleared of any wrongdoing.
In 2005, the firm was investigated by regulators over its charges, but was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Outside calls
Patientline also provides television screens and radio and internet services at hospital bedsides.
Patientline also provides television screens and radio and internet services at hospital bedsides.
It said that while call charges would increase, the cost of the complete bedside "package" would fall from £3.50 a day to £2.90.
The company's systems are installed at more than 75,000 hospital bedsides.
It says that, while call charges will increase, the cost of the complete bedside "package" will fall from £3.50 a day to £2.90.
What we've done in our new pricing structure is, we've realigned our prices to bring the price of TV, which the majority of people watch, to a much lower level Charlotte BrownPatientline
Calls to patients from outside the hospital cost 39p per minute off-peak and 49p a minute at peak times.
Calls to patients from outside the hospital cost 39p per minute off-peak and 49p a minute at peak times.
'Luxury service'
Commercial director Charlotte Brown told BBC News: "Of the people that are in the hospital beds - patients in hospital who spend money with us - 70% of them actually spend that money on watching television.
Patientline systems are installed at more than 75,000 hospital bedsides.
"What we've done in our new pricing structure is, we've realigned our prices to bring the price of TV, which the majority of people watch, to a much lower level."
There would now be reductions in the price of packages for people staying for longer than two or three days who would also be able to get free games and internet services, she added.
Patientline has admitted it is £80m in debt and currently only has enough money left to operate for the next 12 months.
"As a private sector company, we've put millions of pounds worth of equipment into these hospitals and that's a massive investment for us," Ms Brown said.
"We are trying to recoup that in a way that still provides value for money for the patient in the bed and we feel that we're doing that."
'No choice'
BBC Breakfast's Graham Satchell said the government had always maintained that these services were a luxury and should not come at a cost to the taxpayer or the NHS.
BBC Breakfast's Graham Satchell said the government had always maintained that these services were a luxury and should not come at a cost to the taxpayer or the NHS.
And he said Patientline had admitted it was £80m in debt and currently had enough money left to only operate for the next 12 months.
These people are ill, often recovering from operations, and the hike from 10p to 26p to phone out is really too much Michael SummersPatients Association
The Patients Association says patients often have no choice but to use Patientline because many hospitals no longer have public pay phones.
The Patients Association says patients often have no choice but to use Patientline because many hospitals no longer have public pay phones.
It added that contact with relatives can have a significant impact on a patient's wellbeing.
Spokesman Michael Summers said the cost of incoming calls was already high, and the latest increase would lead to more complaints.
Mobiles ban
"These people are ill, often recovering from operations, and the hike from 10p to 26p to phone out is really too much. People are going to be really upset with this."
Andrew Stronach, from Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said he had written to Patientline to formally object to the price rise and demand a meeting.
"They have agreed a stay of execution for two weeks and as a result they will not be putting up the charges here from today."
Telecoms regulator Ofcom investigated Patientline two years ago after complaints that charges were too high.
Telecoms regulator Ofcom investigated Patientline two years ago after complaints that charges were too high.
In the past, many hospitals have operated bans on or restricted the use mobile phones within their buildings, meaning patients often had to use other phone services.
In the past, many hospitals have operated bans on or restricted the use mobile phones within their buildings, meaning patients often had to use other phone services.
But last month, Health Minister Andy Burnham said he saw "no reason" why they could not be used within hospitals.
But last month, Health Minister Andy Burnham said he saw "no reason" why they could not be used within hospitals.
Michael Summers, from the Patients Association, said the cost of incoming calls was already high, and the latest increase would lead to more complaints.
"These people are ill, often recovering from operations and the hike from 10p to 26p to phone out is really too much. People are going to be really upset with this."
Have you recently been in hospital? What did you think of the phone service provided? Do these facilities help with recovery or are they just a luxury? Were you worried about the costs of calling a friend or relative in hospital? Send us your thoughts and comments using the form below:
