Minister praises monitoring scheme to protect elderly

Mr Lansley has heralded the use of the telecare technology which has helped cut the cost of healthcare provision across North Yorkshire.

He claimed the use of the technology is vital to ease the intense financial pressures which local authorities are facing in the wake of the Government's cutbacks in public sector spending.

North Yorkshire County Council alone is faced with having to make at least 69m in savings over the next four years.

Mr Lansley said: "North Yorkshire County Council told me specifically about falls, where every hour spent on the floor equalled one day in hospital and how their approach to using technology saved over 1m and reduced care package costs by one third."

Trials of the ultra-sensitive motion sensors which can detect

falls were carried out in the homes of North Yorkshire pensioners in 2007 before the technology was rolled out across the county.

County council corporate director of adult and community services Derek Law claimed the scheme had been pivotal in transforming the lives of hundreds of residents, but admitted he is frustrated by the lack of progress in other parts of the country.

He said: "I can't understand why other councils aren't achieving the results that we have achieved. Telecare ticks many boxes.

"For the person using the technology it provides choice, dignity, empowerment and independence. For the carer or family member it offers reassurance and peace of mind 24 hours a day.

"For us it offers cost effective, person centred care. For the health service, it enables earlier discharge, reductions in hospital admissions and a more joined up service with social care."

Concerns have been growing among senior health officials that the slant towards an aging population will place care services under intense pressure.

In North Yorkshire, it is estimated there will be 50 per cent more people aged over the age of 65 living in the county by 2020 – a quarter of the total population. In 2001, the over-65s represented only 18 per cent.