Hotline to Home was a telecom project initiated by a cardiologist in a small peripheral hospital, with the aim of increasing the well-being of hospitalised patients by strengthening and maintaining important social contacts, using a combination of new technology and supportive communication volunteers.

In order to set up Hotline to Home, sponsorship funds were raised and a foundation was set up based on a hospital-welfare organisation covenant. Volunteers from senior computer clubs were recruited and a website and weblog started. In 2005, the laptops and webcams were also arranged. Existing infrastructure and programmes such as Skype, MSN Messenger, wifi, UMTS and satellite communication were used for the project. Hospital management, staff and the local community were informed and convinced. Telecom, marketing and consultancy organisations were also approached. The project was further disseminated through advertising on local radio, TV, flyers and there was even a festive opening with Herman van Veen. Finally, there was a meeting with all local stakeholders and lectures at innovation symposia.

Despite all these efforts, it turned out that the interested patients did not understand what they could gain from this project. The acceptance of Beeldbellen appeared low, contrary to theoretical considerations. Scarce personal contact was preferred to image calling. A possible explanation is that image calling contacts may be too intrusive. This while all the experts and professionals from various organisations were very enthusiastic. The Hotline to Home Foundation was therefore officially disbanded in 2010. The supporting volunteers had tears in their eyes; they consoled themselves with some wonderful experiences of restored contact.