Media Release
Date: 13 April 2021
Free Wi-Fi for patients at Royal United Hospital
Patients at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust can now stream music, films and browse the internet for free thanks to new unlimited Wi-Fi.
Patients can use their mobile phones, tablets and laptops to connect to the NHS Wi-Fi and access services like Netflix, iPlayer and online radio, including Bath Radio, the hospital's own station.
Those patients who don't have their own mobile device can still access television and radio through the existing Hospedia entertainment units, though there is a charge for using this service.
Sharon Manhi, Head of Patient and Carer Experience at the RUH, said: "We're delighted that our patients can now access free unlimited Wi-Fi during their stay with us and browse the internet, watch a film or listen to music to keep themselves entertained. It's important that patients are stimulated and engaged while in hospital and we recognise that the last year has been particularly difficult as they haven't been able to have visitors, and very few volunteers have been coming to the hospital, which breaks up the long day."
The new Wi-Fi access is in addition to the hospital's innovative audiobooks scheme for patients, particularly those patients with dementia, which has proved very successful and has been copied by other hospitals around the country. The audiobooks, from the hospital's Academy Library, allow patients to listen to plays and TV and radio shows during their stay.