Bedside Televisions (Hansard, 10 May 2004)

§ Mr. Lansley
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of(a) fixing so that they turn off and (b) replacing the faulty bedside televisions that have been provided. [167606]

§ Mr. Hutton
The bedside televisions provided are not faulty; no fixing or replacement is required and no additional costs are involved. Patients can turn off screens or turn them to face the wall if they prefer.

§ Mr. Lansley
To ask the Secretary of State for Health which companies have contracted with NHS trusts to provide bedside televisions. [167607]

§ Mr. Hutton
Over 59,000 patients in 126 national health service hospitals have access to bedside televisions and telephones. The companies listed have contracts with NHS trusts to provide the service.

Patientline

Wandsworth Electrical Ltd.

Hospital Telephone Services

Kerfone

Premier Managed Payphones

Patientpal

§ Mr. Lansley
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of providing bedside televisions for patients. [167659]

§ Mr. Hutton
The bedside televisions are provided at no cost to the national health service.
Private companies provide the televisions and bear the cost of installation, managing and running of them. As a result, the NHS has benefited from over £100 million of private sector investment.