The Government is set to look at technology devised by a Shipley firm which allows prisoners to be cared for by doctors via video link.

Shipley MP Philip Davies told ministers about Red Embedded, a hi-tech company based in Saltaire, providing a video link for prisoners to hospitals so that they did not have to leave the jail unnecessarily. Last year, Mr Davies uncovered figures which showed more than £285,000 was spent on taxis by Yorkshire prisons in only 12 months, mainly on transporting inmates to hospitals.

Airedale General Hospital, at Steeton, already uses the scheme, but ministers have told Mr Davies they will now look into whether it could be rolled out in other parts of the country.

Health Minister Paul Burstow said: “As part of a wider programme, a demonstrator project looking at telemedicine and telecare, we are looking at a possible roll-out of such approaches.

“In regard to the specific case of the Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, I would be only too happy to look further at the details and the benefits that have arisen.”

Mr Davies said: “I will be getting in touch with the company to make sure they pass on the information to the minister so he can find out more about what they do.

“What they have found is the majority of prisoners treated did not have to go to hospital.

“The technology allows the consultant or doctor to zoom in and see things. This will save huge amounts of money as people will not have to leave prison and therefore no staff will also have to travel with them, again reducing costs.

“There is also the safety issue, as if prisoners are not leaving prison there will be no chance of people absconding. This scheme in my constituency is a success and I hope others take it on.”

Red Embedded is based at Waterside, Salts Mill Road, Saltaire. It is working with the Advanced Digital Institute, based in the same building, to develop its video link system to allow vulnerable patients to speak directly to their GP using a home TV.