Microsoft To Supply Xbox 360's To American Hospitals

American children will be able to play Microsoft's Xbox 360 games console while in hospital, as well as chatting to fellow child patients over a secure network.

Microsoft has announed that it will be entering into partnership with the Companions in Courage Foundation, a charitable organization which builds "interactive programs. The company will supply Xbox's to hospital playrooms across the US.

“Microsoft is committed to keeping kids entertained in a variety of ways within a safer gaming environment, so partnering with Companions in Courage to offer children in hospitals a way to connect through something as universal as games is a natural fit for the work we do,” said president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft Robbie Bach.

The customised Xbox 360's will have a variety of games suitable for children and also Xbox 360 Headset and Xbox LIVE Vision Camera capabilities, which enable patients to communicate over a dedicated network.

“We are grateful that our partnership with Companions in Courage helps us meet the needs of our patients and allows kids to be kids even when they’re sick.” said executive director of Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian

Microsoft celebrated this partnership on Wednesday 23 April at events at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center of Seattle and the Children’s Hospital of Orange County in California.