Hospedia, a UK-based provider of patient bedside entertainment, has decided to renew its patient bedside terminals in more than 150 NHS hospitals across the UK with a new contract with JAOtech.

The initial contract is worth $3.25 million over one year, and is the first phase in a program by Hospedia to renew its estate of terminals that will benefit up to 10 million patients a year.

The JAOtech terminals will form the front end for the new Hospedia T3 system which officials said will offer more than 20 TV channels and free unlimited outbound calls, in addition to free radio, email, web browsing and games. Hospedia is now launching its on-demand film service and also has plans to bring more entertainment services to the patient beside in 2010.

“The JAOtech terminal gives T3 users a front end that is much easier to use, with a brand new touchscreen unit, a bigger screen and better features," said Ben Packman, commercial and media director of Hospedia. "The terminals are easy to clean and sterilise, with no crevices or apertures where grime can collect, or where cleaning fluids can contaminate the internal electronics and, once established, will facilitate Trusts using the T3 for clinical access and other systems, such as our real-time patient feedback service.”

Warren Kressinger-Dunn, CEO of JAOtech said the new terminals are expected to help Hospedia in a state-of-the-art front end for the estate's patient bedside entertainment units."

Our terminals are based on the latest screen and processor technologies to provide patients with an outstanding multimedia experience, but at the same time meet the very exacting hygiene and noise demands of the hospital ward environment," said Kressinger-Dunn.