As an employee Mark of the hospital you visited and witnessed the use of the mobile phone usage I feel I should answer your points.
At Southport and Ormskirk we have a Mobile Telecommunications policy that covers use of technology including mobile phones.
We have evaluated our site and tried to use acommon sense approach bearing in mind that no matter what you do people will continue to use mobile phones.
We have specific areas where patients, visitors and staff can use mobile phones. The main corridors, the canteen and certain areas on the wards have been assessed a s alower risk than places like ITU, CCU, Theatre etc.
If the hospital was Southport where you were told by a member of staff that the phone you saw used "was different" or if you saw a phone used in theatre here then I am seriously concerned.
I feel our policy is common sense and strictly adhered to.
If I saw a visitor, patient or member of staff using a phone in an inappropriate area I would act on it immediately.
We have continuous staff mandatory training and this is a subject that is covered.
Next time you are visiting and you think a phone is being used in an area that is not appropriate, please report it, we do take action and we will follow it up.
