A SERVICE which would enable vulnerable patients to monitor their health at home is to be launched.

Sedgefield Borough Council is hoping to work in partnership with Yorkshire company Tunstall to provide the community telemedicine initiative.

The scheme, which was piloted in Ferryhill last year, involves a monitor designed for patents to measure their blood pressure, heart and breathing rates, oxygen saturation and temperature.

The measurements are transmitted via a telephone line to a monitoring centre at the University of North Durham, where patient records are stored.

The results will be viewed and checked by trained staff and action will be taken if there is cause for concern. It is hoped the system will help people to avoid long hospital stays.

The set-up costs for the service would be £20,000. The council will act as service provider with subscribers, including hospitals, GPs and clinics, paying daily rates for equipment hire, monitoring and administration.

Tunstall, which has pioneered the technology, will supply the monitoring equipment and support services.

A 12-week trial is being proposed to establish the procedures and systems.

Sedgefield Borough Council's scrutiny committee will meet on Thursday to discuss the proposals and approve a partnership with Tunstall.