Research has shown us that adults, children and young people want more and improved healthcare services in community settings - these are often easier to access than travelling
to hospital. In 2002, the NHS across Merseyside developed a new model of care* which changed the way local health services are planned. This new model recognised the need for:

		more and improved primary care services, so people only go to hospital for the things that can only be done in hospital;
		new hospitals and community facilities;
		staff from different organisations with different skills working together to provide the best possible care;
		more home-based care to help patients get out of hospital quickly, with ongoing support to live safely and independently at home;
		more support for people to take control of their own health and wellbeing;
		children, young people and their families to take part in the planning and delivery of care in partnership with clinical teams.

This model of care has formed the basis for ‘The Big Health Debate’ (summer 2006) and
‘A New Health Service for Liverpool’ (October 2007) where Liverpool Primary Care Trust has consulted on ambitious plans for new and improved primary care facilities that will
deliver enhanced services in an expansion of community-based healthcare in the seven years to 2014.