UK’s Department of Health Urges Lifting of Hospital-Wide Mobile Phone Bans

Last week the UK Department of Health (DH) released a statement that urged hospitals to consider allowing the more liberal use of mobile phones. The updated guidance indicates that NHS trusts should consider giving patients, staff, and visitors the widest possible use of mobile phones in situations where it does not cause a nuisance or interfere with equipment or the privacy of others. Still, the new guidelines stipulate that mobile phone use should continue to be restricted in areas where critical care equipment susceptible to electromagnetic interference is used. Areas where mobile phones should not be used should be clearly indicated to both staff and patients. Decisions on the appropriate usage of mobile phones are made locally by trusts and must take full account of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommendations on the safe use of mobile phones in hospital. View the original announcement and find the link to the entire guidelines at the DH website.The controversy over health and cell phones arises again and again. Read the latest on the Interference Technology NEBS/Telecom Channel, or post your view on the NEBS/Telecom Forum.