COST OF TELEPHONE CALLS TO PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL

Early day motion 1413, tabled 18 January 2006 by Jessica Morden (Labour). Signed by 80 members.

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.

Signatures by party: Labour 50, Liberal Democrat 20, Conservative 3, DUP 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, UUP 1.