“It’s a very robust, excellent system and I’m so keen on it I have recommended it to other departments, and they have taken it up,” he says. “Other hospitals have also come to see it at work and there is a lot of interest in the system.”

Freeman Hospital uses MediCall in the reception area of its Audiology and ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) departments. “As patients check in at reception, they are given a pager and can then confidently go away from the area to get a drink, or visit the toilet, without the fear of losing their place,” Tom says.

“We see several hundred patients a week in the department and the system saves staff time because they don’t have to go looking for patients who have left the waiting area. The patients are much more relaxed about not missing their place in the queue.”

He reckons that 99% are in favour of the pagers. “A few of the older patients are a bit hesitant because it buzzes and flashes but once we demonstrate it to them, they usually relax,” says Tom.

Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust was recently awarded Foundation status. With a turnover of £550 million it is one of the largest Foundation organisations and 2005/6 was one of its most successful, yet busiest years, seeing over 1 million patients, up by 5%.