A new Wi-Fi network service for patients and visitors has recently been launched at Bradford Teaching Hospitals.

The free service is designed to enhance the experience of both patients and visitors by enabling them to stay in touch with the outside world during their time at the Bradford Royal Infirmary or St Luke’s Hospital.

“The new Wi-Fi service for patients will provide them with a way to communicate with family and friends during their stay” said David Hollings, Head of Information Technology.

“We understand that getting better involves more than just medical treatment as being in hospital can sometimes be an isolating experience, especially in a modern world where most people are used to constantly being connected to their family and friends.

“We hope that by providing Wi-Fi in our hospitals it will allow patients and their  visitors to stay connected, aid recovery by maintaining their spirits, and even allow ‘virtual visiting’ via Skype for those who cannot otherwise get into the ward to see the patient.”

Wi-fi has been used on the Foundation Trust's wards for the last five years and has been proven to be safe when used in clinical settings throughout the world.

Hospital chiefs also hope the new Wi-Fi service will ensure that people, for whom hospitalisation is an interruption to a busy schedule, can keep up-to-date with their work, while other groups like students will be able to continue with their studies uninterrupted.

“Bradford Teaching Hospitals aims to provide the best service possible to patients and guests, and providing free internet access will enable patients to stay connected with family and friends at all times,” added Director of Planning and Performance, Dr Dean Johnson.

Visitors or patients wishing to use the service must bring their own Wi-Fi enabled computers and software with them to hospital where they will be able to detect a Wi-Fi SPARK hotspot. After following a simple registration process they will be able to obtain full internet access.

The service is being provided by Wi-Fi Spark Ltd whose telephone contact details can be found on the home page if users experience any difficulty with logging on and require technical support.