Pioneering work by Brighton-based Communicopia has helped the Department of Health to launch London's first interactive television health service.

The NHS Direct Digital pilot service, an extension of NHS Direct Online, will provide instant visual advice and information about common illnesses through the television set.

The content, much of which has been created by Communicopia, will be available to subscribers of Video Networks' HomeChoice service.

The company has the largest broadband programme operation in Europe, with about 15,000 subscribers using the service across Greater London.

The Department of Health has commissioned a total of four interactive digital television pilots. This is the second part of one of those pilots.

The first part, produced by Communicopia, launched on Kingston Interactive Television (KIT) in Hull last November.

Communicopia's new media director David Maden said: "The HomeChoice service is completely different from the KIT service because it is pure TV.

"Rather than users having to read through text sections before viewing a video, there is no text in the new service. Although it contains the same information, it's almost like coming at the service from a different angle. We can then compare people's experiences of the two services to see which works best."

Mr Maden said Communicopia had two long-term aims for the service.

He said: "We want to make the service available on other platforms. But we also want to make it a central repository of information for the NHS.

"Because it is spread far and wide, the NHS has information in many different places. We want to turn into a resource which everyone can access."

An example of the service's interactive features is a special video about how to give blood.

Users see a green icon on the screen which they can click on to say they want to donate blood. A pop-up box appears and all the viewer needs to do is click on it to confirm his intention.

Video Networks' set-top box contains details of a home's different viewers to the point of differentiating between them using their different logon identities.

When the user clicks on the icon, his or her details are emailed directly to the health service, which then sends out a pack with further details, including the location of nearby blood donor centres.

Communicopia, the fourth largest interactive TV agency in the UK, has produced a service covering a range of health issues from first aid advice to patient case studies concerning more serious conditions.

There will also be a directory of London hospital accident and emergency departments and a healthy living section from which people can get advice on healthy eating, exercise and stress management.

Video Networks' marketing director Mark Springett said: "The service is one of the most exciting new uses of broadband around and proves it's about a lot more than entertainment.

"NHS Direct Digital complements our local government information service and is of value to consumers, especially groups like the elderly and disabled who might have difficulties accessing traditional information."

Health minister Lord Philip Hunt said: "NHS Direct Digital is an example of the way private industry and the NHS can successfully work together."

www.communicopia.co.ukwww.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
www.videonetworks.com