Kidney Failure - Broadband for patients in UK

Author

Broadband for patients in UK

Belinda

2005-04-05, 6:29 pm

Dear All
I am on haemodialysis in the UK. I take my laptop along for the 4hr
sessions. Time flies by, but I would really like to have access to the
internet while I'm dialysing.
I heard that a group of patients had clubbed together to get broadband for
their dialysis unit. Does anyone know where this was, or have any
information that I could use to see if Swindon dialysis unit could do the
same?

Many thanks.
Belinda

superdude77777@hotmail.com

2005-04-06, 8:49 am

Belinda wrote:
> Dear All
> I am on haemodialysis in the UK. I take my laptop along for the 4hr
> sessions. Time flies by, but I would really like to have access to
the
> internet while I'm dialysing.
> I heard that a group of patients had clubbed together to get
broadband for
> their dialysis unit. Does anyone know where this was, or have any
> information that I could use to see if Swindon dialysis unit could do
the
> same?
>
> Many thanks.
> Belinda

I too like to take my laptop along. I asked if we could get wireless. I
said I would pay for it AND set it up ( I manage a college computer
lab) NO! The "rays" would effect the machinery. I told them this is
HOGWASH and said I would be happy to explain why nothing harmful would
come from it. But what do you expect, they are nurses.
Larry

2005-06-30, 8:54 am

Belinda <b.k.robinson@rl.ac.uk> wrote:

> Dear All
> I am on haemodialysis in the UK. I take my laptop along for the 4hr
> sessions. Time flies by, but I would really like to have access to the
> internet while I'm dialysing.
> I heard that a group of patients had clubbed together to get broadband for
> their dialysis unit. Does anyone know where this was, or have any
> information that I could use to see if Swindon dialysis unit could do the
> same?
>
> Many thanks.
> Belinda

Hi Belinda..

One way to do this would be a 3G phone 'card' on a laptop, however this
would be costly..

Offline use is somewhat unpractical but doable.. I used to offline read
& post to USENET back in the 90's when I was on haemo..

Swindon paediatrics have, its alleged, managed to arrange a dialup of
some sort for a young student patient.

I believe Bristol were at one point offering IT training to some
patients whether with online facilities or not I don't know..

You could try, writing to your local KPA & the National Kidney
Federation to see if there's any interest more widely..

I for one think in this day and age reasonably fee'd access or a free
hotspot in a modern unit is essential.

Hope you get some success..

TFK