Hi Bluebella
The evidence now seems to point to the fact that mobiles do not generally interfere with medical equipt and it's true that Patientline and Hospicom etc.. are extremely expensive ways of keeping in touch when you are in hospital.
My daughter always has her mobile with her in hospital BUT changes it to silent mode (no annoying ringing/text alerts) and only uses it for texting. Her mobile has been a godsend - she can text us first thing in the morning to say she is awake and OK before we get there, but also keep in touch with friends which is difficult with so many hospital admissions but important when you are 18. However, we all know that some people find it impossible to have either a short or quiet conversation on a mobile and many have no concept of when it is or isn't appropriate to talk. Can you imagine the phone ringing in the middle of a ward round and the patient telling the doctor to hang on while he/she has a conversation with a friend. I bet it happens!