NHS phone firm tries to cut debt

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Struggling hospital phone and television company Patientline says it is in talks to restructure its "unsustainable" £80m debts.

The firm made the announcement as it revealed that its losses widened to £30.2m in the year to April, from £24.7m for the previous 12 months.

Patientline is threatened by a growing number of hospitals permitting the use of mobile phones on wards.

It has also suffered from criticism over its charges and selling tactics.

Controversial operation

Patientline chairman Geoff White said discussions with its banks over the debt are now the firm's "number one priority".

The company has come under fire in recent years after people trying to call sick relatives were charged up to 49p a minute to phone via its bedside terminals.

An investigation by telecoms regulator Ofcom concluded that the high prices levied on users of Patientline's systems stemmed from the terms of the NHS licences the company operates under.

Patientline blamed the investigation for generating bad publicity which damaged its prospects.

Earlier this year ex-employees of Patientline complained to the BBC that they had been forced to approach sick patients to try and enrol them with the service.

Patientline claims that a new deal on its debt will allow it to upgrade the technology in its multi-media screens, which are installed beside 72,500 hospital beds.