FURTHER to Hidden' Costs Of Hospital Stay (News Shopper, August 9), I too have just spent five days in the Princess Royal University Hospital.

When my son-in-law visited he bought me £10 worth of TV/phone time.

First I could not use it as the TV/phone did not work so I had to wait for an engineer which took nearly a whole day.

My son-in-law and the family came all the way from Wiltshire - a three-hour journey with a three-year-old and a two-year-old in tow.

When they arrived I was knocked out with exhaustion so they decided to take the children for something to eat.

When they arrived back again they had to pay for another parking ticket.

At afternoon visiting they said they would come again in the evening before going home, to which they again paid for a parking ticket.

So added to the three-hour journey each way and the cost of petrol it was not a cheap day out for them to visit me in hospital.

I also found out while I was in hospital any remaining money on your TV/telephone card cannot be returned to you unless you get it on a credit card.

The lady in the bed opposite me had £3.60 left on her card as her son had bought her a £10 card.

But could she get her £3.60 back? No.

I had £1.60 left on my card and I thought I would watch a programme at 9.30pm but was told it would cost me £1.70.

I was determined the TV/phone company would not get my £1.60 and used it to phone the talking clock.

I was so cross and I couldn't even pass the card on to anyone else in the ward as it was registered in my name.

DIANE GUEST
West Wickham