Up to 10 million hospital patients a year can now expect “lower incoming call charges, better service and more reliable equipment” says Hospedia, a new company which, subject to OFT approval, looks set to run over 80,000 NHS bedside systems UK-wide currently operated by Patientline UK and Premier Telesolutions.
Hospedia also plans to provide service to another 20,000 beds in hospitals where patients currently have no bedside TV or phone use – creating new job opportunities – and to offer a significantly broader range of services.
Under a deal announced on 28 July, Hospedia is acquiring Patientline UK and, with the support of the banking syndicate that has financed it, the latter’s debt is being reduced by over £35 million. Patientline plc, Patientline UK’s original holding company, is now in administration, but Hospedia says its existing hospital contracts and services will continue uninterrupted.
Hospedia’s current shareholders are the Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC Bank, Bank of Scotland, and IKB Deutsche Industriebank. Subject to OFT clearance and the acquisition of Premier, Milestone Capital, Premier’s majority share owner, will also become a shareholder, along with the management team led by Tim Weil, Premier’s CEO, who will become Hospedia CEO.
On acquiring Premier Hospedia says it will receive over £12 million of additional investment from the existing Patientline banking syndicate. Provided the OFT sanctions the transaction as a whole, this will be invested in updated telephone and television units and new services, including a number aimed at helping hospital staff. These will include cleaning tracker systems to help combat infection risks, and patient survey systems. Users, meanwhile, can look forward to lower inbound phone charges, better value “packages”, enhanced internet access, on-demand films, audio books, new games, longer stay discounts, and new content.
Tim Sherwood, Hospedia group chairman, says: “This is great news for patients and hospitals, staff and suppliers. Our goal is to rebuild consumer confidence in NHS bedside entertainment systems. The restructured debt and new finance give much needed stability to the business, allow for the delivery of new, innovative services, and present a real opportunity to provide improved value for money.”
It is hoped the OFT will clear the deal by October.
