Hexham’s life-saving global health links

18 December 2009

International Development Minister Mike Foster received a closer look at how medical staff at Hexham General Hospital are using unique and pioneering technology to help save lives in one of the world’s poorest countries. 

Surgeons from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are making use of ground-breaking video technology to provide desperately needed training to medical staff at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Tanzania. 

The technology, the first of its kind in England, broadcasts images and sounds via computer screens to facilitate training in surgical procedures. Nursing staff at both hospitals also use the link to take part in nurses’ forums and other training.

Video link systems like this would normally use expensive ISDN or satellite links that can cost thousands of pounds per hour. The unique system used by surgeons in Hexham provides a reliable service at a fraction of the price – the cost of a telephone call – by adapting the technology so that it works through normal broadband. It is hoped that soon the technology will also work via mobile phones.

International Development Minister, Mike Foster said:

“Over 9.2 million children die in developing countries before their fifth birthday and every single minute a woman dies in childbirth. Most of these deaths could be prevented by access to basic healthcare – medicine, medical facilities and crucially trained medical staff.

“This highly unique and innovative project is making a real difference to people living in extreme poverty in Tanzania. By training staff who can then serve their local community, the doctors and nurses here at Hexham have helped save many lives.”

The partnership between Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre has been in place for a number of years and is part of an international ‘health links ‘scheme which recently received three year annual budget of £1.25 million from DFID.

Professor Richard Walker, clinical lead of the Tanzania Partnership, said:

“We were delighted the Minister was able to take time to see first hand the important work the Trust does out in Tanzania. We’re very proud of the strong partnership we have built up with the medical teams in Tanzania and hope we can continue to work with them for many years to come.”

Northumbria Healthcare’s surgeons performed the first laparoscopic surgery in Tanzania through the link and now more than 250 patients have been successfully treated at the centre. Through the link the Trust’s surgeons have been able to provide advice on difficult cases for their Tanzanian counterparts whilst they are performing surgery. The Tanzanian government now wants KCMC to become a laparoscopic training centre for the whole country.

During the visit, the Minister saw a presentation of some of the work that has taken place between the two hospitals and heard how the video link project came about. The Minister then used the link to talk to medical staff in Tanzania to hear first hand how the video link is making a difference.