An FOI request from Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Murdo Fraser, has revealed that the majority of NHS Tayside patients are missing out on free Wi-Fi whilst other Scottish Health Boards are providing their patients with full internet access.
NHS Tayside has a total of 136 wards of which none have patient accessible Wi-Fi. Only a total of 54 beds at Roxburghe House, Arbroath Renal Satellite Unit, Perth Royal Infirmary Renal Satellite Unit and Cornhill Macmillan Centre have access to Wi-Fi.
However the picture across the rest of Scotland is vastly different. Every ward in hospitals in Dumfries and Galloway, the Western Isles, Forth Valley and Shetland has access to Wi-Fi whilst 82% of wards in Fife and 86% of wards in Glasgow have patient accessible Wi-Fi.
Availability of Wi-Fi in hospitals would allow people to stay connected with friends and family during their stay, and aid their recovery by maintaining their spirits. There is a concern that long term patients in NHS Tayside will not have access to the same facilities as patients elsewhere in Scotland.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said:
"Long stays in hospital can be an isolating experience, particularly in the modern world when most people are used to be constantly connected to their friends and to the news.
“Now that restrictions on the use of mobile phones in hospitals have been lifted, many of the arguments against hospital Wi-Fi no longer apply.
“In my electoral region, both NHS Fife and Forth Valley provide free Wi-Fi to the majority of their patients and now questions must be asked as to why Tayside cannot do the same.
“Providing Wi-Fi in more Tayside wards could be a relatively inexpensive move, which would make a real difference to the patient experience.
“Seriously ill patients with relatives around the world can use technology, such as Skype, to keep in touch which becomes especially useful if their condition worsens and they become terminally ill.
“The NHS Scotland post-code lottery is clearly not just about the availability of specialist drugs but now extends to patient care and NHS Tayside must work hard to match other health boards when it comes to Wi-Fi provision.”