Patients, carers and visitors at Walsall Manor Hospital can now make use of new and improved free Wi-Fi to keep in touch and entertained.

Digital Technology Services (DTS) at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust launched its new public Wi-Fi last month.

The new service has been designed to improve patients and visitors’ experience – providing fast and reliable internet access across the hospital as well as community clinics and GP practices.

It will allow people to stay connected with loved ones, securely access entertainment and manage their health information online when needed.

The network has robust security measures to ensure patient data is protected. It uses advanced encryption protocols to safeguard all communications and prevent unauthorised access.

Gurdip Virk, Head of Digital Technology at the Trust, said: “We feel extremely proud to be able to provide an excellent service for Walsall patients as this was a priority for us. This new service will give a better, more reliable user experience.

“This was a collaborative project with the ICB and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT).

“To include GP sites has also required a hardware replacement of Wi-Fi equipment at all GP practices in Walsall.

“Our Infrastructure Team had to change Wi-Fi configuration to enable the new service across the Trust whilst ensuring there was no impact to any services.

“Thank you to Jon Evans who led the project from a Walsall perspective with the Walsall Infrastructure Team, particularly Gareth Coley, working with the suppliers. And finally, guidance from the RWT Cyber Security Team to ensure that the service offered considered all security aspects.”