Health secretary Alan Milburn is considering using a US firm to help reduce the number of hospital admissions among older people.

He is looking at employing Evercare, a division of United HealthCare, to advise on how to prevent acute admissions.

Up to 10 pilot primary care trusts would be involved in the scheme, which would involve more outreach and other services being brought together on a single site.

A Department of Health spokesperson said the scheme had delivered good results in the US for value for money and patient care and satisfaction.