Question reference: S5W-22847
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 26 April 2019
-
Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 7 May 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in exploring options for the provision of free bedside entertainment for hospital patients.
Answer
The Scottish Government expects all NHS boards to assess and adopt a patient-centred approach on the expiration of the contracts, with consideration given to both value for money and, importantly, the patient experience.
We are currently working with NHS Directors of Estates to establish feasibility of free bedside entertainment across NHSScotland. For example, NHS Lothian have now implemented free patient Wi-Fi services, including access to video streaming, in two of their acute sites. It is expected that other NHS Boards consider provision of free patient Wi-Fi and other suitable alternatives to the current Hospedia services when assessing patient entertainment services.