Patients at Basildon Hospital can now watch tv from their beds - but it will cost them.
The televisions have all the basic channels and several satellite channels.
In the children's ward, youngsters can watch a children's channel for free.
Basildon Hospital's head of communications, Pat Trinnaman, said: "We think and hope it will be a great success and patients will see the benefit of it.
"It is running in Basildon Hospital as a trial, but all hospitals will get them as part of the NHS Plan initiative. We are now seeing what the patients' reaction is to it."
It costs patients £2.50 to watch the television for 24 hours. They can top up their smart card with cash which can either be used to watch television or make calls - again from their bedside.
At the end of their stay, patients can chose to have their remaining money refunded or donate the card to the hospital where it can be given to needy patients.
Susan and David Nelson, of South View Avenue, Tilbury, were angry with the new scheme because David is a regular patient and used to bring his own television to the hospital.
Mr Nelson, who is waiting for a lung transplant, spends as much time in hospital as he does at home and cannot afford to pay the fee.
But the hospital has promised that "special arrangements" will be made for Mr Nelson.
Published Friday, January 10, 2003
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