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Patients across Scotland could soon see a consultant over webcam and have their symptoms assessed electronically.

While it may sound futuristic, the telehealth system is already up and running in some areas of the country.

People in rural Aberdeenshire and Orkney, for example, can use video links at their local GP surgery or community hospital to see doctors at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

As well as chatting in real time, a range of medical devices, including blood pressure cuffs and glucose monitors, can be used in the consultation and a diagnosis given.

Now, a nationwide hi-tech drive will be enabled by the integration of the Scottish Centre for Telehealth (SCT) into NHS 24, the health board which runs Scotland's national health helpline and website.

'Telehealth' is an umbrella term to describe the use of communications technology to put patients in contact with the NHS from a distance, ranging from video conferencing to photo assessment for urgent skin cancer referrals.

The move follows an in-depth review of the SCT's activities which made recommendations for extending the scope of telehealth.

In its new home, the SCT's structure will be streamlined, while 'telehealth champions' will ensure the benefits of new technology are embedded in every Scottish NHS board.

The SCT, which has a budget of almost one million pounds per year, is already involved in a large number of projects including:

• The Scottish Telestroke Network - putting acute stroke patients into 24/7 video contact with thrombolysis specialists.
• Video links between Orkney and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, supporting people with conditions such as epilepsy and motor neurone disease.
• The Paediatric Telemedicine Network, linking facilities without specialist paediatric units with Scotland's four children's hospitals.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:

"New technology offers some incredibly exciting possibilities for giving people better access to healthcare in the 21st century.

"The Scottish Centre for Telehealth has already been helping individual NHS boards devise ways of using technology to reach out to patients in our more isolated areas and those with mobility issues.

"But by integrating it within NHS 24, we can ensure that use of telehealth is spread right across Scotland and benefits patients in all our communities.

"The Scottish Government has increased investment in eHealth by nearly 40 per cent in the draft health budget for next year, because it can play a key part in our goals to bring healthcare closer to patients and create a more efficient NHS."

John Turner, Chief Executive of NHS 24, said:

"We are delighted that the Scottish Centre for Telehealth will become part of NHS 24 in 2010.

"Embracing new technology and using this to improve patient access to health care, no matter where they live, is vital.

"NHS 24 and SCT are committed to leading the way in telehealth, to improving patient care and to providing a high quality service for people across Scotland.

"I look forward to working with our SCT colleagues to build on the successes achieved so far."

James Ferguson, Clinical Lead at the Scottish Centre for Telehealth, said:

"The SCT has had many successes over its short lifetime which have emphasised the need for Telehealth to be adopted generally throughout the NHS in Scotland.

"This review gives us a blueprint for modernising, and improving, delivery of care to the people of Scotland through the use of telecommunications technology"

The SCT, established in 2006, is located at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and is hosted by NHS Grampian. The SCT is not a funding body - its role is to advise and assist health boards in the delivery of telehealth solutions. The SCT will transfer to NHS 24 on April 1, 2010.

Funding for eHealth in the Scottish Government's draft health budget for 2010-11 is increasing from £97.2 million to £134.7 million - a rise of 38.6 per cent.

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