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Hospitals: Telephone Calls

My right honourable friend the Minister of State (Jane Kennedy) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. The Office of Communications (Ofcom) published its investigation into the price of telephone calls to hospital patients yesterday. A copy has been placed in the Library. In response, the department will set up a review group, as originally intended and as recommended by Ofcom, to explore how communication services can be offered to hospital patients without charging as high a price for incoming calls. The group will consist of Department of Health officials, the providers of bedside communications and entertainment services and representation from National Health Service trusts. The department has worked closely with Ofcom during its investigation and will continue to do so in taking forward the work of the review group. The membership and terms of reference of the review group will be agreed as soon as possible and an update will be provided in due course.