A blanket ban on mobile phones is still in force in some Scottish hospitals despite health boards being given new guidelines to relax the rules a year ago.
A blanket ban on mobile phones is still in force in some Scottish hospitals despite health boards being given new guidelines to relax the rules a year ago.
Two health boards, NHS Highland and NHS Grampian, have failed to put a timescale on the introduction of a specific policy outlining where mobile phones can be used safely and another, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, is still to complete its review of its rules. Another, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, has completed its policy review but its changes will not come into effect for some weeks.
All others have relaxed their policies.
Ross Finnie MSP, LibDem health spokesman, said being allowed to use mobile phones in Scottish hospitals would make it easier for patients to communicate with their families.
"Some patients are currently charged 10p per minute to call friends and relatives from their sick beds. This can prove very expensive for long-term patients and makes it difficult for some to keep in touch with family."
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "A total ban on the use of mobile phones in healthcare premises is no longer considered appropriate. It is advised that NHS boards should actively manage the use of mobile phones in their premises."
