Hospital patients will soon be able to tune into television and radio, make phone calls, surf the Internet and order a movie all from the comfort of their beds, writes Michaela Robinson-Tate.

As part of the national patient power project', work has begun to install high-tech equipment at hospitals in Morecambe Bay, which it is hoped will help those stuck on wards to battle the boredom of being confined to their beds.

A modern bedside communication unit will allow patients to watch television on their own screen, listen to the radio via a headset, and make and receive telephone calls on a personal number.

From 2006, patients at Kendal's Westmorland General Hospital will also be able to surf the net and send e-mails.

Patients will even be able to order a film to watch, or an audio book to listen to, both from their beds.

Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust director of facilities Martin Ellam said patients such as those on orthopaedic wards with broken bones would particularly benefit because of the length of their stay.

"It's a real Godsend to patients having to stay in hospital for long periods."

By providing patients with their own telephone number it was hoped there would be fewer messages going via the wards and, therefore, less work for nursing staff.

A company called Patientline UK is installing and managing the service, which will be self-financing.

Patients will be able to buy a card to use the equipment.

Television will be free for children and other charges are expected to be: radio free of charge; one hour of free television per day and then up to a maximum of £1.90 for all-day viewing; ten pence per minute for phone calls; £3 to buy a film; £2 for an audio book; and four pence per minute for Internet access.

Mr Ellam added: "Relatives who come along can put a little bit on to these cards. Instead of a bunch of flowers a lot of relatives will give them (the patient) something on the card."

Work started on installing the equipment at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary in March, and will begin at Barrow's Furness General Hospital in July and WGH in October. Barrow and Lancaster will have access to the Internet and e-mail by the end of the year.

May 14, 2003 10:00