Video consultations prevent significant CO2 emissions as popularity continues

Video appointments have prevented more than 200 tonnes of CO2 emissions since being introduced by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

The NHS Wales Virtual Consultation Service, which was introduced by the Health Board in April 2020, enables patients to attend their healthcare appointment virtually, without having to leave the comfort of their own home.

Enabling patients to securely attend more than 70,000 virtual appointments from the comfort of their own homes since being introduced in May 2020, the service has prevented 750,000 miles of travel for the Health Board’s patients.

Two years on, the service continues to be popular, with more video consultations being attended by the Cardiff and Vale UHB patients than anywhere else in Wales, despite larger populations elsewhere.

Continuing to offer a convenient, environmentally friendly option for attending appointments, the service’s popularity is expected to further increase this year with rising fuel costs.

Dr Mark Wardle, Chief Clinical Information Officer at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “Video consultations have been incredibly popular since we launched them two years ago, and have become really integral to how we deliver our services.

“As a Health Board we are really leading the way with the high number of appointments that our patients are choosing to attend virtually, which in addition to offering patients more choice and greater convenience is having a clear, positive impact on the local environment.

“I’m pleased with the success of the video consultation service, and hope to maintain that momentum far into the future.”

Find out more about our video consultation service.