Patient Line is a disgusting disgrace Blog Discussion

DrFluffy

I think a blanket ban is safer. Allow them in a few places and then people start to pressume that it must be OK to use them anywhere. What it the day room on one ward is above/below ITU?

Also like the new generation phones that are safe to use even in ITU - it only takes one ejit to see someone using a mobile, before they whip their non-safe house brick out and turn off someones respirator!

itsmylife_2

On the subject of mobile phones I would be concerned with patient's privacy now that most phones have cameras attached... who would want someone taking photos on a children's ward? I work on a children's ward and cameras are banned to protect the children...

spook

rhig wrote:

I used patient line a few months ago and thought the phone calls were a bit expensive (when calls are made from outside). I think the main reason for the loss is the cost of the equipment, for one bed Patientline supplies a computer with an LCD screen on a movable arm.

I would guess this costs over £1000 per bed as the screen with phone and integrated keyboard is probably bespoke and the arm is pretty sophisticated, allowing a lot of freedom of movement. This hardware is needed for patientline to be able to provide phone/TV and internet to the patient, internet requiring the most expensive hardware and being by far the least used service.

It would be much cheaper to provide an internal VOIP phone service to each bed with the ability to call in/out giving each patient £1 free credit and allowing top up by debit/credit card. VOIP phones only cost around £100 and would take up less space.

TV is a useful service which reduces boredom and saves staff time, it would be more affordable for a company to provide LCD TV's and charge ~£2 a day or visit for the use of them. The TV's would cost under £150 but would have to be attached to an adjustable arm for comfort and to keep them out of the way when not in use.

Patientlines current system does not take in to account that most hospital patients are over 65 and usually more interested in speaking with relatives on the phone than surfing the internet. The internet service is also pretty useless, with a tiny keyboard and joystick mouse which breaks easily and isnt fixed quickly by the support team.

I was a bit disappointed with the internet service too but I still managed to use it to send the occasional e-mail. The keypad did break while I was in and a member of patientline staff came to fix it the same day that I reported it.

At the end of the day they are providing a lot of very expensive equipment that the NHS would never have been able to provide, and they need to make their money back somehow.

meher

The hefty charges of the patientline is perfectly legitimate - think of the several hours of continuing phone calls and chatting that would cause incovinience to other patients or health professionals who are carrying out their duties. People so genuine, no matter where their family / friends are should perhaps take the pains to go and visit them during visiting hours instead - or alternatively write long loving and caring letters they could read at leuisure and send cards or surprise them with flowers wishing them to get well soon. The purpose of making calls expensive is not just to fund or profit the NHS - even if it is the case the proceeds fund an organization that makes provisions for free health care.

To have this facility by itself is simply fantastic.

Re Parking - most buses go right into the hospital gorunds throughout the day every 5 - 10mts - use public transport or taxis. The parking facilities should be kept expensive - when the doctor on call or health professionals visit patients or to attend their multi disciplinary meetings, they don't get a parking space.

Though I agree with most views on here just thinking that these policies are not in place without a purpose.

DrFluffy

Most hospitals have separate parking facilities for 'permitted' staff...

meher

DrFluffy wrote:

Most hospitals have separate parking facilities for 'permitted' staff...

But most hospitals do not have parking facilities for oncall professionals. The rota covers hospitals across their patch / catchment area so they don't necessarily have permit in all hospitals because they visit only for expert opinion or general assessments or the usual multidisciplinary meetings.

DrFluffy

I've yet to work, volunteer or have placement anywhere that doesn't have a 'hot permit'...

southernscouser

Now I'm not encouraging anyone to break hospital rules here but I have it on very good authority that mobile phones do not actually interfere with hospital equipment. At least not the sort of equipment the average person will encounter! :think:

meher

And me yet to come across one staff among several I know of, who hasn't had parking problems whilst they're on call / duty / making emergency visits on an official capacity.

I guess we can only speak from experience and I accept your experience but I wouldn't undermine policies taken nor would I dismiss them offhand - the petitions we put foward might be seens as hollow if it doesn't reflect lateral thinking.

My view on this not only based on some exprience but also in good faith

firespire

If it is expensive to call then don't call in.
Personalised TVs are much better than one big one that might disturb others.