Howard Lucas tests the 'telehealth' device

"Telehealth" uses developments in communications to send patients' information to their doctors via a phone line.

The Welsh Assembly Government is launching its strategy at the National Telehealth conference in Cardiff later.

It estimates stays in hospital could be reduced by two-thirds in some cases.

Patients with heart conditions, for example, would be given a machine which measures vital signs such as heart rate, weight and blood pressure.

The information would then be sent down a telephone line, automatically alerting a doctor or nurse at the other end if there was a problem.

Howard Lucas, who suffers from high blood pressure, is the sort of patient who could benefit from the technology in the future.

The machine asks a series of health-related questions

After testing the system, Mr Lucas said: "The simplicity is the first appealing part of it."

"The fact that you can have it here at your bedside or in the table in the home as opposed to having to trail off to the day centre or the clinic or the doctor's surgery.

"I'm on medication for high blood pressure. The system tests you for your blood pressure which gives you piece of mind.

"It also does a weight check," he added.

I know of three or four companies who are looking to come to Wales immediately because of projects that are imminent Peter Range

The savings to the health service in using systems such as this are potentially enormous.

People with heart conditions, for example, could cut the amount of time they spend in hospital by two-thirds.

Peter Range is helping to launch the assembly government's telehealth strategy.

He believes a change in the way different services work is needed.

He said at present health professionals tended to work separately from those in social services who look after people in the community - the key is to bring them together, he said.

Wales is already leading the way in the field, according to Mr Range.

"I know of three or four companies who are looking to come to Wales immediately because of projects that are imminent.