Cellphones On: Recent research suggests that cell phones, contrary to universal policy, may be used safely in hospitals:

Dr Saul Myerson, a cardiologist from the John Radcliffe Infirmary, told BBC News Online: "People who made the policy took what was the most defensive line and the easiest to implement - to ban mobiles altogether.

"In practice, that has stopped people using them when they really need to."

He said the ban had led to people being verbally, and sometimes physically, abused for using their phones in hospitals.

"Interference occurs only in a minority of phones, about 5%, and at a very close range of less than a metre", he added.

"It's sensible to ban phones from clinical areas, more because they could be disruptive than anything else.

"But a sensible balance could be struck, and their use could be allowed in non-clinical areas."