A woman has praised a hospital’s remote video link after it proved vital in helping to ease her terminally ill husband’s final months.

Jane Walton, who cared for her husband Geoff at their home, has spoken in glowing terms about Airedale General Hospital’s “wonderful” telemedicine service.

Mrs Walton, from Cross Roads, near Keighley, stressed that Geoff wanted to spend his last days at home, rather than in hospital.

Airedale’s video link means seriously ill people do not need to struggle into hospital to be diagnosed or receive important medical advice.

“I dread to think how I would have managed without the telemedicine,” Mrs Walton said.

“I’d have had to break the promise I made, and would have had to take Geoff back into hospital.”

Mrs Walton was speaking at the latest meeting of the Airedale NHS Foundation Trust board of governors.

Mr Walton was born in Birmingham and worked as a driving instructor in Keighley for many years. He died last March aged 84.

Mrs Walton said her husband had been seriously ill with a number of different illnesses, including diabetes, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and renal failure. He previously had stomach cancer, and also experienced hypoglycaemic attacks.

“Geoff was a quiet, gentle man who always stayed positive,” she said. “From September 2011 he was so ill it was very difficult for him to be taken to hospital.

“It was suggested we consider having telemedicine installed. We put into our bedroom, so Geoff could have consultations without leaving his bed.

“At the touch of a button a familiar face is in front of you on a television screen. As Geoff’s wife and carer this became important to me and gave me the courage and confidence to cope with his illness.”

She applauded the staff manning the telemedicine link for the professional support and companionship they offered.

“Telemedicine is a fantastic way of communicating with housebound patients, and is so easy to use for those who aren’t good with new technology,” she said.