Videoconferencing is used to help assess the risk of cancer where there is a family history of the disease, and also for follow-up consultations after diagnosis. The patient and members of their family come in to the clinic for a 'talking heads' style session, with the consultant participating via video link.  Prior to consultation, patients are briefed on the format  and questionnaires are  issued requesting details of their family trees and medical histories.  The form of genetic counselling undertaken does not require the Consultant to be present in the same room with the patient / parents. (It also does not require transmission of results or other clinical information, at the same time, which is a requirement for most other specialities).  The key requirement is to be able to clearly see facial expressions so that counselling is given sensitively and patients feel it is like a normal consultation.  Therefore a high quality video-conferencing system could meet this need. 