Mrs Vivien Pratt of Weston-super-Mare is the first patient at Weston General Hospital to benefit from the trial of a new wireless internet access network for patients across the hospital site. For the first time anyone staying on an in-patient ward at Weston General Hospital can be instantly connected to the internet.
The Weston-super-Mare resident has been using the wireless during her stay to keep in contact with friends and family and continue her work with the local Weston-super-Mare Archaeological Society.
Mrs Pratt said that being able to make use of WiFi on the hospital wards "made a fantastic difference" to her stay.
She added that without the WiFi she "felt isolated, especially when you can't find a signal for a mobile phone. It meant I was totally cut off."
The WiFi service, which is currently free, is designed to enhance the experience of patients by enabling them to stay in touch with family and friends during their time at the hospital. Patients using smart phones, laptops and tablet PCs will be able to detect the hospital's WiFi hotspot through their device and request a code to connect to the internet.
The implementation of the wireless network throughout the site was carried out by the hospitals IT team. It was done as part of a wider initiative to enable mobile working practices for clinical staff which will allow them to spend more time by the patient's bedside, and less time accessing information at computer terminals.
Hazel McPherson, IT Technical Team Leader said: "The implementation of a WiFi network throughout the hospital has enabled us to look at new and innovative ways to improve patient care. We are delighted that we can roll out this free trial and offer WiFi to our patients."
"The benefits this type of technology can bring to the hospital ranges from accessing important clinical information at the patient's bedside to providing contact to the outside world for patients in our care.
"We have received a lot of positive feedback from patients on the wards who have been able to make use of the trial access" she concluded.
The trial will last until the end of this year after which the Trust hopes to make WiFi access a permanent benefit for its patients.
For further information, please contact Rebecca Rafiyah Findlay Head of Communications on 01934 647091 or via rebecca.findlay@nhs.net