HOSPITAL patients, staff and visitors can now access free Wi-Fi following a national patient feedback survey which found many struggle to access the internet during hospital stays.

The Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, and the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, both offer the new service as the NHS rolls out the programme nationally.

NHS Wi-Fi allows patients and the public to browse the internet, download health apps and access healthcare information.

It can be accessed in patient areas by selecting NHS Wi-Fi from a mobile phone, tablet device or laptop and following onscreen registration instructions.

Users are welcomed by an NHS landing page containing national healthcare information and links to healthcare advice and support, as well as a search facility for nearby health services.

The free internet service allows for basic access only, and media cannot be streamed via NHS Wi-Fi. However, the Trust plans to introduce additional NHS Digital services in the near future.