Patients cut off from outside

A TECHNICAL glitch left patients at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary without working phones for several hours.

Provider Hospedia confirmed that a problem with the database that serves the Edinburgh system meant patients at the ERI lost the use of phones from 8.30pm to 11pm on Thursday.

They stressed that the problem had not affected the television service that they provide, meaning that there was no chance of patients missing the royal wedding.

A Hospedia spokeswoman said: "We were alerted at 8.30pm on Thursday to a problem with the telephones at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The technical issue was resolved as quickly as possible to ensure that patients had full access to the bedside systems in time for our free TV promotion during the royal wedding ceremony.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused to patients."