Doctors want ban lifted on mobiles in hospitals

Doctors have called for mobile phone bans in hospitals to be lifted.

Nearly all hospitals ban the phones on the grounds that the radiowaves they emit affect equipment such as heart monitors and ventilators.

But new research shows there is no danger. Today the British Medical Association conference will vote on a motion stating hospitals would benefit from replacing the current bleeper system with mobiles.

Anaesthetist Simon Minkoff, who works in a London hospital, said: "The idea phones interfere with equipment dates back to the old analogue phones, when there were problems. It is not the same with modern phones."

In some countries mobiles are often used in hospitals, even in intensive care. Mr Minkoff said communication in hospitals was slow, with bleepers telling doctors little about the urgency of a call.

The debate at the BMA conference in Llandudno also raises the issue of patients using mobiles. Mr Minkoff suggested having times, such as during visiting hours, when patients could use phones. The Chelsea and Westminster hospital already allows patients to use their phones in some areas.