Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare > Volume 15, Number 3 > Pp. 137-138

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PAPERS

Use of videoconferencing in Wales to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, travel costs and time

Delyth Lewis ^* , Glynis Tranter ^* and Alan T Axford 

^* Telemedicine Service, South West Wales Cancer Network, Swansea; Hywel Dda NHS Trust, Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, UK

Correspondence: Delyth Lewis, Telemedicine Manager, c/o Meurig Ward, Bronglais General Hospital, Aberystwyth SY23 1ER, UK (Fax: +44 1970 628 814; Email: delyth.lewis2{at}wales.nhs.uk)

In September 2005 a telemedicine service was started to assist multidisciplinary teams in Wales to improve cancer services. In October 2006 and October 2007 users of videoconferencing equipment at one site completed questionnaires. During October 2006 a total of 18,000 km of car travel were avoided, equivalent to 1696 kg of CO₂ emission. During October 2007 a total of 20,800 km of car travel were avoided, equivalent to 2590 kg of CO₂ emission. We estimate that 48 trees would take a year to absorb that quantity of CO₂. The results of the surveys show that exploiting telemedicine makes better use of staff time, reduces the time spent travelling and assists in reducing climate change by limiting the emissions of CO₂.

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