Trial of a new consulting technology

The aim of this trial was to demonstrate the viability of an innovative service linking patient and clinician at a distance and to evaluate clinical outcomes.

Cisco HealthPresence™ provides a “virtual clinic” experience for patients, combining Cisco TelePresence with medical equipment (thermometer, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, pulse rate, telephonic stethoscope, ENT scope and general examination camera) to create an environment similar to seeing a health professional face to face.

The system was installed in the Emergency Department at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in January 2008. Over 18 months, NHS Grampian and SCT trialled HealthPresence for a variety of clinical presentations.

Christine McClusky

Service Development Manager

SCT