Hospital concierge service gives patients a lift

A concierge service that is already making life a little easier for patients in some 40 hospitals in France could be rolled out nationwide.

Happytal, which offers a range of services from food and newspaper deliveries to haircuts, even childcare and pet-feeding services, recently set up shop in the hospital at Paray-le-Monial, Saône-et-Loire - and has already proved a hit with patients and staff.

The Happytal scheme is intended to ensure outside concerns are taken care off, allowing patients to rest easy and get well. In many cases, the cost of the service is covered by patients' mutuelle insurance.

Hair appointments have already proved hugely popular in the Burgundy hospital, Happytal's two-strong concierge staff said.