A Dunedin man was taken to hospital when a friend in the United States called emergency services after seeing him become unwell during a video call.

A man was taken to Dunedin Hospital after he became unwell during an international Skype call.

The man was on a Skype call to a friend in the United States when he became ill about 4pm on Tuesday.

The concerned friend contacted New Zealand police, who went to the man's central Dunedin home, Senior Sergeant James Ure said.

Police found the man in need of medical treatment and called an ambulance.

No further details were available.