49p a min to call hosp patients
Taken from a Sunday newspaper:Greedy private companies are charging rip-off rates for hospital phone calls.Anyone calling a sick patient is charged 49p a minute peak rate & 39p off-peak by the company Patientline - that's much dearer that BT calls to Australia (22p & 8p a min).Calls dialled out by patients cost 10p a min at all times, that's 2p more than BT's peak rate. There's a 20p minimum & patients have to lsiten to a long recorded message which adds to the bill. Patient watchdogs & health unions have slammed the Government-backed scheme. Karen Jennings of Unison said: "It's disgraceful that these firms are able to make money out of patients."MPs are to investigate deals between NHS trusts & firms who run the systems. Patientline, headed by ex-prison service boss Derek Lewis, has 156 hospital contracts.The firm said: "We aim to keep costs as low as possible, while ensuring hospitals can continue to devote their funds to patient care."Mobiles are banned in hospital on case they affect sensitive equipment. --------------------------------------When I was in hospital recently it was the only way my family could keep in touch with me & I dread to think what the phone bill will be! When I was able, I used a public payphone standing in the corridor in my dressing gown. There was nowhere to sit & it was uncomfortable. What I object to is that somebody is doing this to make PROFIT. (just as in the parking).
Lynn Clark ● 7063d6 Comments