The openspacetv concept relies on our ability to use the sponsorship opportunities which it offers to fund the installation and maintenance of the system. To this end we will seek to maximise the revenue which it can generate. At the same time, however, we are very sensitive to the issues which might arise when introducing a commercially funded service within a public health care environment. The ultimate decision to accept sponsorship from a particular organisation rests with the practice and we will always respect your right to refuse an individual sponsor for your screen. Sponsored public information services have been developing rapidly over the past five years and we are all now used to seeing advertising on screens and notice boards in a wide variety of situations. There are cases where the balance between information and advertising is weighted too heavily towards the advertising elements and this can cause considerable irritation to users of the public space. We believe that a healthy balance can be struck between the need to finance an information system and its effectiveness as a means of communication. Indeed, we know that advertisers and sponsors are actively seeking opportunities in an environment where their message is seen as only one part of a wider spectrum of useful information. The balance within the openspacetv system is approximately 20% sponsorship and 80% information.

When we seek sponsorship for Patient Island we will take all reasonable steps to check the legitimacy of sponsors. All Patient Island installations carry the following printed notice.    All advertisements on this system have been approved for inclusion by the practice. Information about products and services is carried on this system as a service to our patients but we do not endorse or otherwise recommend any service or product described here.

In seeking to generate sponsorship revenue from the screen and notice board we specifically undertake to refuse all advertising for tobacco, alcohol and any other product or service which might be considered detrimental to health and well-being to refuse all advertising from pharmaceutical companies for products which are not available to the general public over the counter in normal retails outlets to refuse all advertising associated with debt management agencies to ensure all advertising complies with ASA and local Trading Standards Office guidelines and to heed all complaints from them or others about individual advertisements to immediately remove any advertising which does not meet with the approval of the practice for whatever reason