The problem with the TVs was identified by the Health Service Journal. It reports today that the sets come on automatically at 6am or 7am and close down at 10pm. Patients pay £3.20 a day for the full range of programmes, with reduced rates for the over-60s and a free service for children.

But those not wanting to subscribe do not escape: they get trailers for the service and messages from the hospital authorities instead.

A company spokesman said the failure to provide an off button was "an accident" that was rectified in more recent installations at the bedsides of 38,500 patients in another 83 hospitals.