Mobile Phone Ban Should Be Lifted in Hospitals – Says BMA Cymru Wales

Doctors leaders in Wales are calling for the rules surrounding the use of mobile phones in Welsh hospitals, to be relaxed.

It follows the lifting of such a ban in hospitals in Wrexham and Flintshire. The Welsh arm of the British Medical Association, BMA Cymru Wales now wants others to follow suit. North East Wales NHS Trust has become the first to relax the rules, allowing patients and visitors to use mobiles in hospitals. It follows extensive testing which showed problems with sensitive medical equipment only occur if handsets are very close to it.

Dr Richard Lewis, Welsh Secretary of the BMA, said: "BMA Cymru Wales has previously expressed concerns at the excessive cost of making and receiving hospital calls. Patients should not be punished financially at the very time they need to keep in touch with their friends and relatives.

"Removing the ban on the use of mobile phones would also enable better communication between doctors, which would be good news to patients ultimately because it would mean better use of doctors' time.

"BMA Cymru Wales supports a removal of the current restrictions, provided they are made in the best interests of patient safety, privacy and helps remove the burden of excessive costs."

Posted to the site on 29th June 2008