A digital production company has won a contract to produce an interactive television channel providing Government health advice.
Brighton-based Communicopia Productions has been commissioned by the Department of Health to produce a fully-interactive television service with information and help on medical and health matters.
The channel, designed for digital broadband distribution, will be launched before the end of the year.
Gavin McWhirter, Communicopia manager of interactive accounts, said: "Our goal in creating NHS Direct TV is to provide an accessible, understandable and reliable information source about health, illness and best treatment practice.
"The channel will provide access to certain keys sets of data currently available via the NHS Direct web site, including the interactive diagnostic healthcare tool, information about particular illnesses and conditions, and advice about living a more healthy life.
The company has begun to seek broadcast specialists and recruitment is now underway for roles including a television producer, a production controller and a researcher to meet the production deadline.
Barbara Myers has been appointed as executive editor. She has a wealth of medical experience which includes reporting on BBC Radio 4 and the World Service for the weekly magazine Health Matters.
The team will be responsible for the overall editorial policy for the service, the collation and editing of content from third-party sources and the production of up to 40 broadcast-quality video clips to support the other sources of information.
Government Health Minister Gisela Stuart said: "This project will not only allow patients to access a wealth of health information from their armchairs, they will be able, in time, to book appointments with their GPs through the television and even have a consultation with an NHS Direct nurse at home through a video link."
Communicopia took over Southwick-based new media company Netpro in 1999. Last year, it became an interactive content partner to ntl, the UK's largest cable company, producing a range of interactive games, programmes and channels for the company.
The company has produced programmes for the national CWC cable network including a TV pub-quiz, a technology documentary series, a talent spotting show, a live band showcase and one-off programmes for the video market.
Last year, it set up The Money Channel with more than 100 television production, post-production, editorial and presentation staff.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article