The Scottish Government revealed the Scottish Centre for Telehealth (SCT) is being integrated with NHS 24.
And that could pave the way for greater use of telehealth - which uses the latest technology to link patients with doctors.
People in some remote areas are already benefiting from telehealth systems, with video links in GP surgeries and community hospitals connecting people in rural Aberdeenshire and Orkney with medics in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The SCT, which has a budget of almost £1 million a year, will become part of NHS 24 in 2010.
The integration of the two organisations comes after a review of SCT made a number of recommendations on how the use of telehealth could be extended.
As part of the move "telehealth champions" will ensure the benefits of using this latest technology are highlighted in every health board.
The SCT is already involved in a number of projects, including an initiative which puts acute stroke patients in contact with specialists and the Paediatric Telemedicine Network.
The network links those facilities which do not have specialist paediatric units with Scotland's four children's hospitals.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "New technology offers some incredibly exciting possibilities for giving people better access to healthcare in the 21st century.
"The Scottish Centre for Telehealth has already been helping individual NHS boards devise ways of using technology to reach out to patients in our more isolated areas and those with mobility issues.
"But by integrating it within NHS 24, we can ensure that use of telehealth is spread right across Scotland and benefits patients in all our communities."
The move comes as the Scottish Government's draft budget for 2010-11 increased funding for eHealth - which incorporates telehealth - from £97.2 million to £134.7 million.
NHS 24 chief executive John Turner said: "Embracing new technology and using this to improve patient access to health care, no matter where they live, is vital.
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