PATIENTS at a city hospital will no longer have to fork out to watch TV.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is planning to scrap its pay-for-TV service at Glasgow Royal Infirmary next year.

A freedom of information request submitted to the health board by the Evening Times said: "It is the intention of NHSGGC to replace TV entertainment system at Glasgow Royal Infirmary with a free-to-use system when the current Hospedia contract ends in 2016."

Patient groups today welcomed the move, calling pay-to-view TV services an "unnecessary cost".

The Royal - which has more than 1000 beds - is the only hospital in Greater Glasgow where patients must pay to watch TV.

The charges for TV use range from £10 for three days, £15 for five days to £20 for seven days.

Payment is made directly to Hospedia Bed Head Services and there is no income to the NHS from the contract.

Entertainment use is different across the hospital estate. Some have TVs within single and multiple occupancy rooms and some do not.

A number of hospitals also have TV lounges.

It is understood that entertainment use is being reviewed throughout the health board and it is hoped that all patients will have access to a free-to-use TV system in the future.

That would bring it in line with the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, which offers TV with Freeview to all patients.

Dr Jean Turner, of Scotland Patients Association, said the costs were "extortionate".

She said: "I think giving everyone a TV at their bedside and expecting them to pay for it was a bit below the belt.

"It just seems like a commercial venture that should never have been allowed in the first place.

"There's a lot of hidden costs for patients and families when they go into hospital, like laundry, little treats from family, travel costs for visiting so people don't realise how expensive it can be.

"Paying for TV is an unnecessary cost. People might struggle to pay for it for their family member but they wouldn't want to see them go without."

Ms Turner called for free-to-use TVs to be rolled out across Scotland.

She said: "I think it should be the same throughout the whole health board and indeed throughout the country.

"You should have the choice to watch TV in hospital without paying for it if you wish."

A spokesman from NHS GGC said: "TV provision at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary is currently through a paid-for-service which is supplied by Hospedia until 2016.

"The board is currently reviewing its patient entertainment services and consideration will be given to the feasibility of a free service."