Hospital patients, visitors and staff can stay connected thanks to the extension of a new WiFi service in more health facilities.
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Already live at South East Regional Hospital and Goulburn Base Hospital, the Wi-Fi service has been introduced at a further 11 Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWHD) facilities in partnership with eHealth NSW.
In the first month of implementation, more than 500 patients and guests took advantage of the Wi-Fi service, using it mostly for video communication such as Skype, streaming music and videos and social media, a SNSWLHD spokesperson said.
They confirmed that "all appropriate internet security filters" were in place."
"Giving access to Wi-Fi has enhanced the care we can provide in the unit and made such a difference to patients and visitors," Southern NSW Local Health District Acting Chief Executive Jude Constable said.
"Many of our patients are here for a large portion of their day while they receive treatment. Internet access means they can pass the time quickly browsing the web, connecting on social media or watching movies via streaming services.
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"It also provides a great distraction from their treatment and they can do normal things like pay bills, shop online or keep up with work."
Jason Matthews, Unified Conference, Collaboration and Wireless Program Manager for eHealth NSW, said WiFi and the internet had become "an essential part of life."
Supported by Hills Health Solutions, the Wi-Fi system has a free and paid service, with the paid option better for activities requiring faster download speeds such as gaming or Netflix. It comes courtesy of $20 million in State funds for Wi-Fi in hospitals.
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