Could telehealth revolutionise NHS patient care?

One of the challenges facing the NHS is how to care for people with long-term illnesses such as diabetes, heart defects and chronic lung problems.

These patients make up around 30% of patients yet account for 70% of the NHS's costs.

Telehealth is a new scheme where patients with long-term conditions monitor themselves at home using technology rather than going into hospital.

Kent is at the forefront of the scheme with around 800 patients using telehealth.

But some doctors are not convinced, citing fears over increased GP workloads and concerns about whether patients will be able to use the computer technology.

Others say the NHS reforms will also make it harder for telehealth to happen.

Inside Out asks whether the government's plans to get more people onto telehealth are likely to succeed.

BBC Inside Out South East is broadcast on Monday, 21 January on BBC One at 19:30 GMT and nationwide on the iPlayer for seven days thereafter.