Managers at Oxford hospitals have welcomed Government guidance relaxing restrictions on the use of mobile phones.

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

Until now, existing Department of Health guidance said mobile phones should not be switched on or used in clinical areas, including wards, unless there was a good reason to do so.

Patients also have the option of using phones run by Hospedia, formerly Patientline, costing 10p a minute for outgoing calls and 39p a minute for incoming calls.

Elika Saedi, a spokesman for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We welcome the guidance by the Department of Health on mobile phone use in hospitals.

“Over the past few years we have taken a flexible approach to using mobiles on the advice and research carried out by the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

“Our current policy reflects the Government's new guidance.

“There are, of course, certain areas where mobile use is prohibited, for example, intensive care units.

“We also always take into account the privacy and dignity of our patients.”

Ms Saedi said mobile phone use was determined by individual wards, adding: “For example, elderly patients might not want mobile phones going off all the time so signs would be put up in certain wards asking people to respect that.

“Our policy on this has been quite relaxed for the past couple of years and we have not experienced any problems.

“Patients are usually very respectful and try to ensure they are not disturbing others.”

Previous rules also aimed to prevent people taking “inappropriate” photos and videos with camera phones.

Mr Bradshaw said the entire policy was being relaxed because mobile phones were so widespread and could help provide comfort to patients.

He said: “Mobile phones are commonplace in everyday life these days and people have told us they would like to use their mobile phones more in hospital to keep in touch.

“That’s why we’re keen to encourage sensible use in hospitals where it is safe to do so, in addition to other services offered in hospitals, such as bedside payphones, TV and Internet access.”

Patients can listen to the radio for free, but if they buy cards for £2.90 a day from Hospedia they can also access TV channels and the Internet.

Jacquie Pearce-Gervis, a spokesman for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals’ patient forum, said: “It’s good patients can use their mobiles more or less when they like— perhaps they should be allowed to bring their phone chargers in with them.

“Hospedia need to make their prices much more reasonable for patients.

“At the moment, I think they are a bit of a rip-off.”

Mark Thomas, a spokesman for Hospedia, said: “Hospedia will monitor any impact, but plans to press ahead with improving customer service and value for money on its systems at NHS beds across the UK."

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk