Hospital patients in Tayside are suffering from a “postcode lottery” when it comes to free wireless access, it has been claimed.
None of the health board’s 136 wards, such as those at Stracathro Hospital near Brechin, allow free wi-fi for patients, while other Scottish areas do.
MSP Murdo Fraser has said NHS Tayside patients encounter an “isolating” hospital experience compared to their counterparts in Fife and elsewhere in Scotland.
Now Tayside health chiefs are looking into patient-friendly networks that could be rolled out across the board area.
According to a freedom of information request by Mr Fraser, every ward in hospitals in Dumfries and Galloway, the Western Isles, Forth Valley and Shetland has access to wi-fi.
The facility is also available on 82% of wards in Fife and 86% of wards in Glasgow.
The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP said offering the service could make a hospital stay less upsetting for patients.
He said: “Long stays in hospital can be an isolating experience, particularly in the modern world when most people are used to being 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.”
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.
For the health board, director of eHealth Jenny Bodie said, “NHS Tayside is currently looking into plans to test a wi-fi facility that will be used by patients.
“If this test is successful, the wi-fi facility will then be implemented throughout our hospitals.”
Mr Fraser said: “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,” continued the MSP.
“The NHS Scotland postcode 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.”