Patient WiFi installed in the hospital

Patients in Longleat Ward in Warminster Community Hospital were unable to access WiFi, which prevented them from social media engagement with family and accessing on-line services such as banking, email and utility services. There is a modern need for patients to access on-line services so that they can continue, so far as possible, to remain engaged with normal life. This need was identified in 2017.

 In late 2017, FOWH agreed to fund a Patient WiFi. Surveys were conducted with a pro bono local BT manager and Great Western Hospital Trust IT management. After negotiation with providers, GWH IT and GWH Estates a project to install and maintain was agreed at a cost of £7,500 and about £1,200 annually.

 In 2018, before implementation, GWH Trust transferred its estate responsibility to NHS Property Services. At the same time the Government announced an ambition for all NHS hospitals to offer patient WiFi access. As a small community hospital, Warminster Community Hospital, would not be a priority.

 FOWH then negotiated a single £5,000 contribution to the costs of a priority installation to the NHS provided service, with no recurring costs. This was installed by WiFi-Spark in February 2019.

Patients now have access to social media & can conduct online banking and bill payment.

 For those patients with dementia, the highly successful Reminiscence Therapy project is made much more effective by access to on-line resources such as images and music from remembered times.