Free Wi-Fi to be made available at all P.E.I. hospitals

Patients and visitors at hospitals across the Island will soon be able to access the internet and send email for free.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown and the Souris Hospital recently installed public Wi-Fi in some patient care areas and waiting rooms.

• Souris Hospital Wi-Fi service will improve patient experience, says Lions Club member

Work to install Wi-Fi in the remaining Island hospitals is expected to begin this June, said P.E.I. Health and Wellness Minister Robert Henderson.

"Being able to stay connected with family and friends helps patients feel less isolated, whether they are an inpatient or they come to the hospital often for ambulatory services such as dialysis or cancer treatment," hesaid. "Visitors also appreciate having access to Wi-Fi as they often spend long periods of time at the hospital."

Wi-Fi at the Souris Hospital was made possible through help from the local Lions Club.

The public Wi-Fi system will be separate from the protected wireless service used by doctors and other health care staff.

Hospitals will be covering costs related to the installation and internet service.