NHS HDL (2001)21

Health Department

Dear Colleague

MOBILE PHONES - POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE WITH MEDICAL DEVICES

Summary

1. This letter draws to your attention for action a recommendation of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, chaired by Sir William Stewart FRS FRSE, published on 11 May 2000 in their report 'Mobile Phones and Health' (ISBN 0 85951 450 1).

Background

2. Paragraph 1.47 of the report reads

'We are concerned about the indiscriminate use of mobile phones in hospitals and other sites where the RF radiation could possibly interfere with sensitive equipment. We understand that health authorities/health boards issue guidance on the use of mobile phones. They should ensure that all hospitals comply. This guidance should include the placing of visible warning signs at entrances to buildings to indicate that mobile phones should be switched off'.

3. Action required of NHSScotland to restrict use of mobile phones was contained in Safety Action Notice SAN(SC)97/26 dated 4 June 1997 and which drew attention to Medical Devices Agency bulletin DB9702 dated March 1997. That advice continues to be valid. Its validity is not limited to hospitals, but extends to wherever electromedical devices may be operated.

Action

4. Chief Executives should ensure that all appropriate managers, staff and users of electromedical devices continue to be made aware of and comply with the recommendations of SAN(SC)97/26.

Yours sincerely

Dr E M ARMSTRONG

13th March 2001

______________________________

Tel: 0131 244 2779
Fax: 0131 244 2030
e.mail:
arthur.johnston@scotland.gsi.gov.uk