COST OF TELEPHONE CALLS TO PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL

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That this House notes the exorbitant cost of incoming calls to patients in hospitals, which exploits family and friends keeping in touch with loved ones; supports the concerns of consumers about the prices charged by service providers Patientline and Premier, who can charge up to 49p per minute peak and 39p per minute off-peak; welcomes the investigation by Ofcom; and supports its recommendation that the Department of Health urgently review all aspects of the installation and operation of bedside telephone and entertainment systems in hospitals.