The investigation focuses on two firms, Patientline and Premier
Managed Payphones, who have contracts with NHS trusts to install
and run entertainment and communications systems for patients –
including bedside phones.
It will consider whether the prices charged for making calls to
hospital patients are excessive, whether the recorded message at
the beginning of each call increases costs excessively and whether
the agreements between the firms and NHS Trusts are
anticompetitive.
Speaking to the BBC, a spokesman for Premier Managed Payphones
said, "We will co-operate with Ofcom, but we have entered into
these deals on the NHS's terms. They selected the best kit
available."
According to The Register, Patientline has stated that it will
"co-operate fully with Ofcom on this investigation, which the board
believes will vindicate the terms of the licences and contracts
required by the NHS, as well as Patientline's charges, which were
specified in its licence agreement with the NHS".
