Patients staying in Nova Scotia hospitals are being advised to bring their own cell phones or personal communication devices as bedside telephone service is set to be phased out.
Nova Scotia Health says the change will begin May 31 at facilities across the province, though exact disconnection dates may vary by site.
The health authority says the service provider is ending bedside phone service because of aging infrastructure and low demand.
That means traditional in-room hospital telephones used by inpatients to contact family and friends will gradually disappear from Nova Scotia Health facilities.
Patients who expect to stay in hospital are now being encouraged to bring:
- A cell phone or personal communication device
- Chargers or charging cables
- Any needed accessories for communication
Nova Scotia Health says personal devices will help patients stay connected with family and friends during their stay.
No other patient care communication systems were mentioned in the advisory.
