The use of videoconferencing to enhance tertiary mental health service provision to the island of Jersey.

A six-month trial of videoconferencing was undertaken between the States of Jersey Health and Social Services in the Channel Islands and the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust in England. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness and benefits of obtaining specialist tertiary mental health services not normally available on the island of Jersey. During the six-month pilot project in 2001, five teleconsultations were conducted: two acute psychiatric assessments and three case reviews. In addition, six presentations using videoconferencing were held on forensic psychiatry (24 participants), affective disorders (12), psychosis (8), eating disorders (3), crisis disorders (12) and community specialist teams (12). Results using the Guy s Communication Questionnaire indicated high satisfaction levels from all participants. The project successfully raised the awareness of telemedicine and its potential in the delivery of mental health services in Jersey.