New guidance on mobiles in hospitals and surgeries

The Department of Health has issued guidance about the use of mobile phones in GP surgeries and other NHS premises.

The guidance suggests GP practices prepare a written policy on the use of mobile phones accompanied by information posters. It adds: “Many GPs ban the use of mobile phones in their surgeries.”

The guidance, which also covers use of mobile phones in hospitals, suggests a policy should cover the use of phones near sensitive medical equipment, the recognition of the need for patient privacy and dignity and the option of requiring mobile phones to be switched off on entering premises.

The guidance refers to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MRHA) which did not recommend a blanket ban on mobile phones in hospitals and says different considerations should apply to different locations.

It highlights the increasing use of camera phones which it says have been banned in many areas because it is difficult to detect when they are being used to take pictures and videos.

The guidance states: “NHS organisations should recognise the need for patient privacy and dignity by not permitting the use of such camera phones in patient areas.”

It adds that the MHRA has produced suitable posters, which can be obtained from their website together with advice on the use of mobile phones generally.

Useful links

DH guidance on use of mobile phones

MHRA website