The Telemedicine Department at the University Hospital of North Norway was established in 1992 with two permanent employees. In 1993, the department was appointed by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs to be the national central institution for telemedicine. The Centre is now called The National Centre for Telemedicine (NST), and has a permanent staff of approximately 80 persons representing a variety of professions in technology, social science, law, economics, medicine and health.