Cancer sufferer Richard Bishop has slammed charges of £18 a week for hospital patients to rent a television set.

Mr Bishop, 52, of Larkham Rise, Chippenham, claims many elderly or people on benefits struggle to pay to have their own TV while they recover in hospitals like Bath's Royal United.

He says the system emotionally blackmails patients' families to rent the TV sets.

"Of course families are going to pay for the televisions. No one likes being in hospital and they want to make their relatives' stay as comfortable as possible," he said. "Televisions are important to speeding patients' recovery because they help them relax.

The matter came to Mr Bishop's attention18 months ago when he was in RUH recovering from a heart attack.

Mr Bishop, who also suffers from mental health problems, said patients complained about the charges but were told they could take it or leave it.

He said communal day rooms with television sets are available at the hospital but said these are not suitable for patients who are bedridden.

Mr Bishop, who is a member of the committee for the Wiltshire and Swindon hospital users' network, brought up the matter at meetings.

In June he wrote to Kennet and North Wiltshire's Primary Care Trust's patients advice liaison services, which deals with complaints and inquiries.

He then wrote to the head office of Patientline, a commercial organisation that supplies television sets to RUH and other hospitals.

He wrote to the company in June and July but has still heard nothing back.

He said: "I feel we have a right to know why televisions cost that much. Where does the money go? Who gets what? Does a patient get a refund if they leave during the week?

"To take £18 from anyone who is on benefits is well over the top."

PALS manager Jenny Edwards said the man dealing with Mr Bishop's questions was on leave, but he would contact Mr Bishop on his return.

A spokesman from Patientline, which has been providing televisions at the RUH for ten years said: "None of the installation or operating costs of the system fall to the hospitals, all are met by the company itself, which recovers its investment over a period of years through charges to patients.

"The pricing structure for the system is designed to offer the patient a quality service at the cheapest possible price.

"We would be happy to speak to anyone concerned about our pricing, particularly a long-term patient, and discuss a more appropriate charge."

An RUH spokesman said patients are entitled to bring electrical goods to hospital but before they can use them they have to be checked by engineers and, for most patients, this is impractical because by the time checks are complete they have been discharged.

TV rental company Box Clever charges £9.99 a week to rent a 14ins portable television, £11 to £12.99 to rent a 21ins set and between £13 and £14.99 to rent a 25ins set .

Pensioner Jean Palmer's husband Pete, 72, has been in hospital at the RUH for a week. Mrs Palmer, 63, of Hungerdown Road, in Chippenham, who relies on benefits said she is disgusted at the costs of renting a TV set.

"It's a chunk out of our benefits and I'm glad Mr Bishop is telling people about the situation," she said.

Anyone similar concerns should write to Mr Bishop at 15 Larkham Rise.