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Debate: Should the NHS provide free access to wi-fi?

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Northerner

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Free internet access should be rolled out across NHS premises because it is essential for better decision making and outcomes for patients, argues Victoria Betton, mHabitat programme director at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The UK government's report 'Personalised Health and Care 2020' proposes a framework for digital technology that aims to improve patient experience and outcomes with efficient services.

But "this bold ambition can be realised only with digitally engaged citizens and the removal of barriers such as lack of access to public wi-fi in healthcare settings", argues Betton in The BMJ this week.

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-08-debate-nhs-free-access-wi-fi.html
 
1 of my local hospitals has WiFi for patients.
And no phone signal. This caused difficulty in setting up a base unit with a SIM card to work with a reveal/loop device in my chest.
I've not tried it yet, however you might be able use your phone to call over WiFi. 3 network have an app. It needs setting up first. Wasn't sorted when I was in above hospital.
Being sat in hospital not being able to contact anybody was an issue for me.

The the other hospital (that I was in for 3 weeks in December) did have a phone signal. I had to do several phone calls to sort my money out. One I made lasted 1 & a half hours. I then had to ring the other department. I had asked my sister to deal with it.

My stays were unplanned. I'm wondering how people will access it. Even if they manage to take their smartphone & charger. Phones aren't really very good for internet. That's what I'm on now.
 
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When in hospital I use a 10" tablet; I find that the best compromise between the portability of a phone and the usability of a laptop. (I have used a laptop but it's a bit too big and clumsy for a hospital situation.)
 
Raigmore has WiFi available for patients though I couldn't say if it's free or not I usually carry my MiFi thingy with me when I get hauled in so I've never tried theirs.
 
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