I don't think that Hospitals offer free wi/fi per se but you can often get BT Openzone etc - but that doesn't always have much width?/speed. I wouldn't rely on this for decent, full use of a tablet at all. 3g just means your tablet has the technology to access any network providers service as long as you pay for that, i got an ipad with it and a couple of times that's been useful ie when i was without any wi/fi and wanted to check email etc but on the ipad it's an extra ?100 or so, wish i hadn't bothered to be honest. A normal monthly contract would be a waste for a few days in hospital, you can get PAYG deals in bundles ie 1 day, or 1 week etc. They are expensive and you soon hit your limit if you're doing anything beyond basic connection stuff i.e. downloading etc. Ipad is brilliant with proper wi/fi not seen the value of it with 3g unless you don't care about the cost