Thousands of NHS patients will be able to watch Euro final from their hospital beds for free after intervention from Sajid Javid
- Patients in hospitals will be able to watch England and Italy's clash for free
- Those in hospital beds will also be able to watch Wimbledon thanks to Hospedia
- Sajid Javid 'delighted' that NHS patients will be able to watch the big game
Patients in hospitals across the UK will be able to watch tonight's high anticipated match for free thanks to Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
Mr Javid intervened after patients were at risk of missing the big match as they faced paying up to £10 to use pay-per-view services from their hospital beds.
Staff said that some patients would not be able to afford the charge, and would miss out on seeing England's clash with Italy on Sunday evening.
Patients will be able to watch the big game for free thanks to Health Secretary Sajid Javid
But, thanks to Mr Javid, the charge has been waived for the duration of the final, allowing patients to watch not only the big game, but also Wimbledon.
Mr Javid told The Sun on Sunday: 'I'm delighted that patients will be able to cheer on the team as they bring it home.'
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Hospedia, which runs the service consisting of 56,000 bedside terminals in 130 hospitals across the UK, said patients will get free access from 8am today to 6am tomorrow morning.
Hospedia's bedside terminals allow patients to interact with technology in real time and includes TV channels, electronic meal ordering, healthcare education and information and a Dementia orientation screen to help settle patients with Dementia.
Managing Director Jason Cooper said he had decided to waive the fee in recognition and celebration of the England team's progress to the final.
'I'm sure it's going to be an extraordinary – but nervy – occasion,' he added.
Hospedia's bedside terminals allow patients to interact with technology in real time
'We hope everyone who's in hospital tomorrow can get some joy from the big game.'
England are set to play in their traditional white home shirt in this evening's final despite technically being the away team.
Despite the big game being held in London, Italy are technically the home side based on how the draw worked out and have elected to go with their classic strip of blue, leaving England with their traditional choice as well.
Roberto Mancini's men have only worn blue-white-blue once this tournament, in the 1-0 group-stage win over Wales.
England, meanwhile, have only worn white-blue-white for the last two knockout matches against Ukraine and Denmark, having donned an all-white offering for the opening four matches of the tournament.
England and Italy have faced each other 27 times altogether, with the Azzurri winning 11 to England's eight, and the other eight matches ending in draws.
