Bellambi boy Jye Healey now has easy access to his favourite games and educational apps when he’s at Wollongong Hospital after the introduction of a free wireless internet service.
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The nine-year-old is among more than 100 young patients and visitors who have logged on as part of a free WiFi trial in the children’s ward.
Wollongong Hospital general manager Nicole Sheppard said thanks to the success of the trial, the free service would now be rolled out across the hospital in the next few weeks.
“Many of our young patients were thrilled to learn they could get online during their hospital stay so they could keep in touch on social media or stream their favourite shows,” she said.
“Having a child in hospital can be a stressful time, so it has been helpful for parents to stay connected, too.”
For Jye, and his mum Jessie-Lee, the ability to access entertainment offers a welcome distraction as he undergoes treatment.
“Jye was a healthy kid, then two years ago he started complaining of sore legs and within months was diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis,” Ms Healey said.
“It’s a rare autoimmune disease that causes skin rashes and muscle inflammation, resulting in weak muscles.
“He’s under the care of a rheumatologist at Sydney Children’s Hospital but requires chemotherapy every Friday and an infusion of Intragam (human plasma protein) once every four weeks.
“That’s when he comes to the Illawarra Hospital School to learn, but during the lunch break it’s great for him to be able to go online and keep himself entertained.”
Patient WiFi is now available at 12 public hospitals statewide, with eHealth NSW planning further roll-outs.
“NSW Health has spent millions on a high speed network and fitting out wireless technologies in our facilities for corporate and clinical purposes,” eHealth NSW program director Jason Matthews said. “Now we’ve securely segmented a portion of that for patients to access.
“It not only gives patients, parents and visitors access to the internet, hospitals can now start engaging better with their patients through things like applications – which Wollongong Hospital has already developed.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward said the hospital would now have a free and paid service, with the premium option better for activities that required faster download speeds such as streaming entertainment programs.
“Particularly during long stays in hospital, many patients can feel cut off from extended family, friends and the outside world,” Mr Ward said.
“WiFi access means patients can keep in touch with their nearest and dearest, access entertainment, and do everyday things like pay bills or keep up with work.”
Wollongong MP Paul Scully also welcomed the initiative.
“This roll-out was announced by then Health Minister Jillian Skinner in 2016, so I’m pleased it’s finally reached Wollongong,” he said. “I’m now keen to see it rolled out further across the health district.”