The Department of Health (DH) is funding £12m pilots to investigate how technology can help manage long term health conditions.

Telehealth systems are remote technologies that keep both older people and patients with chronic issues such as heart disease and diabetes out of hospital.

Three pilots in Kent, Newham and Cornwall will trial both monitoring devices for tracking, for example, blood pressure levels, and also home sensors that can switch off lights or raise an alarm if a person stops moving around. Information from the systems are checked remotely by clinicians.

Telecare will become increasingly important if the NHS is not to be swamped by an aging population subject to higher levels of long-term conditions.

The programme aims to help people maintain their independence, reduce the number of prescriptions dispensed, and reduce the numbers admitted to residential care, nursing homes and hospitals, says the government.

Health secretary Patricia Hewitt, announcing funding for the pilots today, said: ' Improving patient care with new scientific advances and innovation is vital if the NHS is to continue to offer the very best services.

'Remote devices mean greater choice and independence for patients, with more people able to monitor and look after their own health.'

As part of its commitment to evaluating the implications of home healthcare systems, DH expects more than 7000 to be installed over the next two years.