Staff shortages on the West coast have promoted health authorities there to use modern technology to offer virtual visits with specialists.
West Coast District Health Board chief executive David Meates says health services on the coast are under pressure.
Mr Meates says the region relies heavily on visiting consultants and the cost of services far outweigh the funding.
One solution has been to use video links with specialists based in Canterbury, which he says means more people on the Coast can access a greater range of services without having to travel.
Mr Meates says the DHB was concerned at first that some patients, and the elderly in particular might be resistant to the new technology, but that's not been the case.
"They have been the ones that have been really embracing it and saying what a great way to do it."
He says the DHB is holding an expo in Greymouth this week to get feedback from the community on what they want from their health care services.
