In a bid to ease the pressures on nursing staff, St. Andrews began a pilot scheme to provide two-way video links - using low-cost, easy-to-use videophones designed by Motion Media Technology - between the hospice and the homes of three patients. 

The project was the idea of a specialist telemedical company called TDS, who have identified videocommunications as a simple and affordable way for hospice staff to spend more time monitoring and assessing patients at home without having to travel, as well as providing additional support for carers. The technology also enables inpatients to have regular face-to-face contact with their families.