Mobiles ‘dignity’ worry

THE USE of mobile phones on wards at the Royal Oldham Hospital will remain restricted despite the Government’s relaxation of its own guidelines.

Health minister Ben Bradshaw has advised health trusts to let patients use their mobiles as long as they do not interfere with equipment, privacy or cause a nuisance.

A spokesman for Pennine Acute Trust, which runs hospitals in Oldham Bury, Rochdale and North Manchester said the trust reviewed mobile phone use last summer and staff had raised concerns “relating to the privacy and dignity of patients”.