Patients are being charged up to £10 a day to watch TV while they recuperate in their hospital beds. Scottish Labour have called for a review after uncovering figures showing five health boards bill sick Scots.
Party MSP Paul Sweeney said: “Falling sick and going to hospital can be an isolating experience and for some patients, TV will be a lifeline. However, it seems that whether patients can access it comes down to a postcode lottery. The SNP must ensure that patients get the same quality of care wherever they seek hospital treatment.”
The SNP Government announced in 2020 patients would receive free bedside TV to combat loneliness – but only for three months. A postcode lottery now exists where some hospitals charge the ill for turning on the TV.
According to data obtained by Labour, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Grampian, Lanarkshire, and Lothian charge patients in either one or some hospitals.
Edinburgh patients must pay £9.90 to watch TV after midday, while some hospital users in Ayrshire pay £7.90 a day after noon. Patients also pay £7.90 a day in Lanarkshire while Grampian confirmed charges but did not provide information on pricing. Highlands charges £1 to access Freeview. Sweeney has urged the SNP Government to review the charge. The Scottish Government declined to comment.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “If you’re in hospital in a great deal of pain, the final punch to the gut will be having to pay to watch some TV. The Scottish Government should be doing all they can to support health boards and ensure that patients get the best care.”
Tory MSP Sandesh Gulhane said: “Enjoying a bit of television plays a part in distracting suffering patients from the awful reality of being stuck in hospital. These costs being charged by health boards for TV packages will have a deeply damaging impact on the most deprived patients in particular.”
Sweeney has urged the SNP Government to review the charge. The Scottish Government declined to comment.
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