Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 24 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 June 2008. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 July 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

NHS: Telecommunications

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 19 June 2008, Official Report, column 1160W, on NHS: telecommunications, what assessment has been made of the impact on the provision of radio and entertainment for patients in the event of the contractor ceasing to support the contracted for service.

Answer: The Department has not assessed the impact on the provision of radio and entertainment for patients in the event of the contractor ceasing to support the contracted for service. The Department is not party to the contracts, which are made between the national health service trust and its chosen provider.It is the responsibility of individual NHS trusts to assess the impact of its provider ceasing to support the service and have in place a contingency plan should this happen.The bedside entertainment systems are additional to the provision of services that existed in the past and alternatives could be made available, such as hospital payphones and free televisions in day rooms.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 214428; 478 c942-3W
Session: 2007-08
Related items: NHS: Telecommunications
Thursday, 19 June 2008
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Hospitals Patients Radio Television Telephones
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk