SCORES of seriously ill Gwent patients are being spared trips to hospital by a project run by St David's Foundation.

The hospice charity's telemedicine project video-links its specialist nurses and patients' GPs with a palliative care consultant in England, for expert medical advice on treatment problems.

But the £35,000 funding to set up and run the project - a grant from the Henry Smith Charity - is running out. Unless almost £25,000 can be found for another year, it will be suspended.

Telemedicine is increasingly used in education, training, and tele-consulting and tele-nursing, especially for pat-ients in remote areas.

In palliative medicine, it helps access medical advice without the need for patients to wait for outpatient appointments or attend hospital.

Emma Saysell, director of nursing at St David's Foundation, said: "We link up with Dr Peter Hargreaves, a consultant in palliative medicine. He does a weekly session by video link."

Dr Hargreaves, based in the south west of England, said: "The aim is to keep people at home wherever possible."

Consent is sought from patients and GPs before case details are given to Dr Har-greaves. Each patient has a number code for confidentiality.

An overview of cases is sent to him before each session, which are attended by St David's nurses and often GPs. Sessions last 20-50 minutes and may cover 20-30 cases.

Most patients referred have cancer. The most common problems discussed involve drugs and symptom control.

"We are running out of money for the project. We'll carry on as long as we can, but need some backing," said Mrs Saysell.