WiFi at Salisbury District Hospital now ten times faster thanks to Stars Appeal supporters

It's used by over 3,000 every week

Author: Jack DeeryPublished 11th Mar 2022

Thanks to Stars Appeal supporters, the WiFi at Salisbury District Hospital is now ten times faster.

The charity has been funding free Wi-Fi at the hospital since 2015, but has recently upgraded the service to make it quicker and easier to access.

Users also no longer need to register or enter their details to use it.

Every week more than 3,000 people use it, including patients and their families.

"IT HAS BEEN A LIFELINE"

Paul Smith from Hanging Langford has been receiving cancer treatment on the Pembroke Unit and been spending time in hospital.

Using the Stars Appeal WiFi to make video calls and keep him busy.

Patient Paul Smith using Stars Appeal Wi-Fi on the Pembroke Unit

Paul said:

"The Stars Appeal Wi-Fi has been a lifeline. When I was in hospital with Covid using it to make video calls was the only way I could see my wife and my sons. And during my chemotherapy it enables me to watch Netflix and also to access my work emails, so I can work from here if I need to. It allows me to take my mind off everything that’s going on with my treatment.”

The WiFi is just one of the things the Stars Appeal funds at Salisbury District Hospital.

Commenting on the upgraded service, Tara Rainaldi, Senior Sister on the Hospital’s Pembroke Cancer Unit and Stars Appeal Ambassador said:

“We’re massively proud of our free Stars Appeal Wi-Fi which is vital in enabling patients to stay in contact with their loved ones, watch television free-of-charge and keep in touch with life outside the hospital. This has been even more important over the last two years when Stars Appeal Wi-Fi has enabled so many video calls between patients and their families especially when they haven’t been able to have visitors.”

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