Hospital patients are quite literally sitting ducks for television companies. Stuck for days – if not weeks – with very little to do means television becomes much more than just a welcome distraction.

It is hard to understand quite what could justify even the minimum prices of £7.50 for 24 hours viewing.

After all, once the initial installation costs have been covered, the ongoing running fees of the service must be minimal.

It is all very well Hospedia bosses trying to justify their extortionate prices by explaining at length how many channels patients get for their cash.

But for the bedbound, just the five basic channels at a minimal price would surely be much more welcome.

Indeed, in these days where wi-fi and other services are free in virtually every cafe, train station or hotel, it seems even harder to justify why patients have to pay.

What leaves the worst taste in the mouth is the fact prisoners just down the road at Bullingdon get TV for just £1 a day.