‘Rip-off’ hospital charges: premium phone numbers, TV charges and parking costs

A lot of people seem to think that a "one size fits all" commercialization of patient communication, food and parking facilities is the answer. Conflicts of interest and monopoly arrangements seem to be casually ignored. Private provision of services, unless set up to avoid the money grabbing managements paying themselves bonuses for implementing income generating schemes, will generally be unfair and bad value. Why Wifi or cable facilities are not made available at fixed cost rates, to enable those who want them to connect their own equipment. When inside hospital last year I could not get a signal for my smart phone which allows me secure internet access for mail, news papers and some tv. Parking, creation and maintenance, for most hospitals was already paid for from government funds. Now the Treasury has taken "efficiency savings" cuts, the facilities are mostly unfunded except by Private Finance Initiative monies. Catering has always been difficult but judging by the shopping mall in the local major hospital, there are plenty of expensive as well as unhealthy food outlets. Not rocket science to solve. Successive governments just want to be keeping the tax income for such worthies as banks, tax avoiders and of course themselves.

A lot of people seem to think that a "one size fits all" commercialization of patient communication, food and parking facilities is the answer. Conflicts of interest and monopoly arrangements seem to be casually ignored. Private provision of services, unless set up to avoid the money grabbing managements paying themselves bonuses for implementing income generating schemes, will generally be unfair and bad value. Why Wifi or cable facilities are not made available at fixed cost rates, to enable those who want them to connect their own equipment. When inside hospital last year I could not get a signal for my smart phone which allows me secure internet access for mail, news papers and some tv. Parking, creation and maintenance, for most hospitals was already paid for from government funds. Now the Treasury has taken "efficiency savings" cuts, the facilities are mostly unfunded except by Private Finance Initiative monies. Catering has always been difficult but

I would not be against the NHS running these services at a profit and using the profit towards the NHS. But I would question the desirability of that, it could divert resources from essentials to these items and in general a private company specialising in items such as entertainment and parking can possibly do it more economically than the NHS could do it themselves. As for profiteering from these exercises, surely it is up to the Government who presumably put these activities out to tender, select the best company and decide what the contract will be, should be held to account to ensure they get the best value. But I still say, as hard as it may seem, the NHS is there to provide medical support and not to entertain or feed patients to 5 star standards. If food that is nutritionally adequate is provided that is all that is needed, if you happen to not like what is provided then it is up to you to make alternative arrangements. Unfortunately people are demanding more from the Government than is reasonable. If you want 5 star service then fine, but be willing to pay for it by way of hugely increased taxes.