PATIENTS TO BE ABLE TO USE MOBILE PHONES IN DESIGNATED AREAS IN HOSPITALS

Health Minister announces plans to meet One Wales commitment

Patients will be allowed to use their mobile phones in designated areas in all NHS hospitals in Wales, Health Minister Edwina Hart announced last Friday (24 September].

The move will help to reduce the cost of phone calls for patients and relatives. Health Boards will determine the exact arrangements that will be convenient for patients but will also minimise potential noise and disruption for other patients.

In some NHS hospitals, patients have to pay premium rates to use bedside equipment to phone relatives and are charged when they receive calls from their relatives and pay to watch TV. The Health Minister has also decided that current contracts with providers of hospital phone and TV systems should not be re-newed once the contracts end. In the meantime, Health Boards will be required to publicise the current charges more prominently.

The new hospitals – Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan, Ebbw Vale, Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr,

Caerphilly – will have TVs in the single rooms and as more wards are refurbished, more TVs will be placed in them.

The announcement fulfils the Welsh Assembly Government’s One Wales commitment to reform hospital TV and phone charges.

Edwina Hart said: “We know that most patients and relatives want to use their personal mobile phones to keep in touch. Today’s announcement will give people the choice of which phone they want to use and it can keep costs lower for patients and their families.

“Patients will need to be mindful that hospitals are a place for them to rest and recover after an operation and they must therefore be respectful of other patients when using mobile phones, even in the designated areas.”