Doctor, doctor my ears are ringing

Hospitals in the UK have been told to allow more patients to use mobile phones on their wards. Silicon.com reports.

Updated government guidelines, issued today, say hospitals should encourage patients to use their mobiles wherever possible, by putting up signs indicating where handsets can be safely used.

... However, the changes have sparked anger among the NHS Confederation, which represents workers across the NHS.

Nigel Edwards, director of policy for the NHS Confederation, said hospitals could be made more stressful by loud noise and annoying ringtones brought by the advent of mobiles.

Hospitals are one of the latest havens from the mobile ringtone to come under threat and the move to allow phones on wards follows a decision by European regulators to pave the way for mobile calls on flights.

Related: Mobile phones have no adverse effect on hospital equipment however, Most cell phones used by doctors carry infectious pathogens

emily | 4:01 PM | Health Issues and SMS Alerts |
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