Last updated 14:14, Thursday, 31 July 2008

With regard to Patientline who provide the phones and TV in hospitals in Cumbria (News & Star, July 29).

Patientline units offering telephone and television for every bed were unveiled at the Cumberland Infirmary in 1999

Three years ago I spent eight days in hospital having a hip replacement and while I was there my wife used to ring me every morning and night to see how I was.

When I got out our telephone bill was £90 extra with ringing this line. I was also putting in £5 every two days to use the phone while I was in. I never used the TV as I thought it to be too expensive.

So I can’t see how they have gone bust with debts of £90m with the prices that they charge. I see that the calls have gone up to 26p.

I do think that hospital patients need phones and televisions but when people have paid their National Insurance they should not have to pay for televisions as well.

By all means pay for the telephone at a reduced cost, but not for the television.

DAVID RUMNEY
Noble Croft
Aspatria