Hospitals ban on mobile phones eased

A new policy will mean patients, visitors and staff can use mobiles in designated areas in Scarborough and Bridlington hospitals.

The Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust announced the new policy after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency decided mobile phones could be used in certain areas of hospitals.

Concerns had been expressed that the use of mobile phones could interfere with electronic medical equipment. But mobiles will now be permitted in main reception areas, corridors, restaurants, stairwells and car parks at the hospitals.

However, the trust's clinical standards co-ordinator, Rowena Smith, stressed that mobile phones must still be switched off on wards and in treatment areas.

Senior on-call clinicians and managers will be able to use mobiles in patient areas.