Patients to get free TV during stays

Patients in six hospitals across Scotland are to receive free bedside television for the next three months to combat loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic.

There are around 3,400 bedside units which can use Hospedia televisions across six Scottish hospitals, which can cost a patient £7.90 per day.

With restrictions in place for visiting patients in hospital, the Scottish Government has agreed a package with broadcast provider Hospedia to give free TV to all in-patients for the next three months.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “We know that being in hospital can be a lonely time and even more so when your visitors are significantly restricted.

“Doing what we can to limit the spread of Covid-19 is the right thing to do, but we also need to make sure we’re taking care of the wellbeing of our hospital in-patients wherever we can.

“That is why for a temporary period of three months, we are covering the cost of providing bedside television to every hospital in-patient in Scotland.

“We are asking our patients and visitors to work with us to save lives by helping limit the spread of coronavirus.”

The hospitals covered by Hospedia include Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Raigmore in Inverness, as well as Monklands in Airdrie, University Hospital Ayr, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Crosshouse in Kilmarnock.

All other hospitals in Scotland will continue to have existing TV services provided by the local health board free of charge.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood