KMS Launches New Interactive Health Service; New Visual and Audio Communications Technology...

Business Editors and Health Writers

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 2002

Kerridge Media Services (KMS) is supporting the launch of Express Link Up's new project by bridging an international videoconference linking Tel Aviv, Washington DC, New York, London, Birmingham and Manchester.

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair and Ms. Cherie Booth QC, at 10 Downing Street with Sir Ken Jackson launched the Amicus/AEEU Learning Fund which will donate (pound)240,000 to the Express Link Up project to bring videoconferencing to hospitalised children in the UK. This was followed by a link starting with a supporting message from Cherie Booth QC as well as from UK television presenter and Express Link Up patron Carol Vordeman.

More than 60 children in oncology units and children's wards from five hospitals engaged in trans-Atlantic conversation for two hours. The link up was streamed to all the hospitals, allowing all the parties to talk with each other and with BBC children's presenter, Joe Mace in London who had a lively interaction with all sites. Dana International joined in with the children in Tel Aviv singing to all the sites.

The participants included: the Royal London Hospital, the Lombardi Children's Cancer Centre, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC, Children's Hospital of New York Presbyterian (Paediatric Oncology Unit), Royal Manchester Children's Hospital the Schneider Children's Medical Centre in Tel Aviv and the Birmingham Diana, Princess of Wales, Hospital for Children.

The project will enable children in cancer units and in hospital to communicate using the latest online technologies including videoconferencing. This is a development on the work of UK Charity Express Link Up, which has been placing Internet access and a web-camera in every hospital classroom in the UK, as well as access to video-conferencing facilities.

The Charity has worked hard to enrich the lives and education of children in hospital and has established projects in the UK, Israel and USA.

Express Link Up's project is supported by KMS in their shared commitment to use appropriate technologies to bridge the health and educational divide. KMS has provided key videoconferencing bridging services to ensure that the project maximises its potential. The project also has support from the Amicus-AEEU Learning Fund, Digital Brain, the Interactive Health Network and Tiny Computers. Mrs. Pat Ryan with Express Link Up, who is leading the project, will present a plaque for permanent display at the Royal London Hospital commemorating these key partners.

About KMS

KMS is an associate company of Kerridge Computer Company, one of the largest, independent, European systems integrators. The Company was founded in 1976 and is based in Hungerford, Berkshire. It has more than 1000 employees and revenues of more than (pound)80 million. KMS was formed in 2001 and focuses on delivering media and audiovisual solutions. For more information, visit www.kerridge-media.com