The first telemedicine link for the British Forces

In January 1998 a telemedicine link was established between the Hospital Squadron (from 22 Field Hospital) in Sipovo, Bosnia and the Royal Hospital Haslar, United Kingdom (UK). This link uses a high resolution digital camera, laptop computer, satellite telephone and a landline to obtain specialist opinions in radiology, dermatology, plastic surgery, orthopaedics, urology, ophthalmology, pathology and maxillo-facial surgery. This is the Defence Medical Services' first such link from an operational scenario. As such, this pilot study provides a useful testbed to enable clinicians in the three services to gain experience in this developing field, and to help determine the military applications of telemedicine.