Using Your Headset

A new bedside audio-visual communication and entertainment system, designed to help patients have a more ‘relaxing' stay in hospital, is being installed in Milton Keynes General Hospital as part of a national NHS initiative.

In partnership with Hospital Telephone Services Limited (HTS), the Trust has now installed a Patient Bedside Entertainment Service to nearly all beds in ward areas. HTS is delighted to have introduced the HospiCom service for the pleasure of patients in the hospital, at no cost to the Trust whatsoever, as the project is completely self-financing, with no initial charges, or running costs, to be borne by the Trust itself.

A HospiCom Bedside Entertainment System is located, as the name denotes, beside each bed for the exclusive use of that patient. The unit offers patients a television package with a choice of fifteen channels, plus Sky Sports and up to ten films on demand, all available for one daily usage fee, just like having their own personal DVD player at the bedside. Patients can also make and receive telephone calls directly from their bed, with each unit having its own direct-dial number, so patients can keep in touch with friends and relatives. Other services include internet access, email, text messaging, access to several radio stations and playable games.

The HospiCom system features a touch screen for ease of use and all that patients have to do is purchase one HospiCom service activation card from a vending machine, (soon to be available close to all ward areas) and once purchased, the card is repeatedly topped up from a machine within seconds, for further viewing and listening pleasure.

HospiCom also provide dedicated on site service staff, who ensure each unit is sanitised and maintained, as well as providing information on how to use the service to patients. Over and above this ‘hands on' support, a Help Desk is accessed via the telephone unit, (the call is free of charge), to offer additional assistance should the need arise, with this service now available seven days a week.

Keith Sanford, HTS Customer Services Manager says, "The Patient Bedside Entertainment System complements the increased range of services available to patients and makes a positive contribution to the healing environment. Patients need never be bored again, with individual access to television, radio, films and their own personal telephone line".

Milton Keynes Hospital Radio broadcast on this system in high-quality stereo, 24 hours a day, and access to this station is completely free of charge. You can find hospital radio by selecting the “Listen to the radio” button, and then selecting “Milton Keynes Hospital Radio” to tune in.

As Milton Keynes hospital was built, and upgraded, in different stages, you may find that your bed has yet to be fitted with a HospiCom terminal – in which case you will need to tune to Channel 5 on your headset – either via the brown switch on the wall behind your bed, or via the nurse-call handset, to find us.