To prevent delays in bowel cancer patients' care, NHS Highland has obtained the support of three health boards.
Treatment for some patients has been halted because the board has been unable to find a permanent colorectal consultant oncologist or locum cover.
It has a deal with NHS Lothian, Tayside, and Grampian to make things easier.
Online consultations, according to NHS Highland, should prevent most patients from traveling to other board areas.
The health board claimed that a lack of cancer specialists in the country was to blame for its problems with recruitment.
Argyll, Caithness Sutherland, and the Isle of Skye are all included in the vast geographic area covered by NHS Highland.
The new system, according to medical director Dr. Boyd Peters, will be operational as of July 3 with backing from the Scottish government and health boards.
He promised that every effort would be made to limit the amount of time that patients would need to travel for treatment.
We regret the distress this has caused our patients, and we will work quickly to resume our colorectal oncology service in Highland, according to Dr. Peters. ".
For information on its support groups and psychologist service, patients are advised to call the cancer charity Maggie's at 01463 382900 or email highlands@maggies . org.
