A HIGH-TECH multi-media and communications system could soon be in use at Whipps Cross Hospital.

Dubbed Patient Power, the new facility will be paid for by people being treated at the hospital and may include up to 20 satellite and terrestrial TV channels, six radio stations, a telephone and an answer machine.

In a move intended to make hospitals more like hotels, there are also plans for internet services to be provided with the terminal and electronic access to patients records.

A number of companies are currently competing to win the contract to provide the new system to Whipps Cross.

One of them is Patientline, whose terminal is pictured right.

Chairman of the company Derek Lewis said: "The Patientline system provides patients with their own TV, which enables them to choose exactly what they want to watch.

"Other patients are not disturbed because each Patientline terminal is equipped with a headset.

"Patients not only have a choice of entertainment, but they also have the convenience of a personal telephone. Normally they would have to walk to a corridor payphone or wait for a mobile payphone to be wheeled to their bed."

The installation of the new facility is not without its critics. Of particular concern is the fact that people have to pay to use it.

Speaking at the recent trust board meeting, Ros Levenson said: "I'm worried about the cost to the patient and, frankly, I think it's over-elaborate nonsense.

"Most patients just want to phone home and watch TV. They have absolutely no interest in the internet."