Hospital to community
The 10 Year Plan, which was published by the Government in July, sets out how more people will be offered care closer to where they live, including through neighbourhood health services, giving access to more health services via the NHS App, convenient prescriptions, quicker specialist referrals and round-the-clock mental health support.
As a result of this shift to community, hospitals will be able to focus on patients who need hospital care and get them seen on time again.
Explore how services across the North West are already delivering the shift to community
Healthy Hyde, a primary care network in Tameside, Greater Manchester, works with its local community in multiple ways to provide everyday support in schools, care homes, and in its health and wellbeing hub in a shopping centre, as well as in its GP practices.
Support is pulled around individuals, families and communities, especially those facing the biggest challenges, such as food poverty, lack of work opportunities, social isolation, those seeking asylum and refugees, as well as people in need of low level mental health support.
Healthy Hyde works with local residents to develop what is needed locally. For example, English lessons, wellbeing checks and health drop-in sessions are provided with help from community groups, schools, the local council, and statutory services who come together to support the population.
Find out more: healthyhyde.com/news
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The Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network is improving diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing support for people with conditions such as asthma, COPD, and lung fibrosis.
A successful pilot offering respiratory drop-in assessments in Wetherspoons pubs has helped reach people who might not otherwise seek care. These community-based sessions make assessments more accessible, identify undiagnosed conditions earlier, and connect patients to support sooner.
The network’s joined-up approach—linking GPs, consultants, specialist nurses, and therapists—ensures coordinated care for complex patients.
So far, hospital referrals have reduced by more than 70%, with more patients safely supported at home. This model is helping reduce pressure on hospitals and ensuring people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Cancer patients, who are receiving chemotherapy and other therapies across Greater Manchester and Cheshire from The Christie are having to travel less far, thanks to a network of local centres. The Christie has actively developed new treatment centres and locations for cancer patients to have appointments and treatments closer to home. In some instances, The Christie can even deliver therapy at home.
Since 2010, The Christie has actively developed new treatment centres and locations for cancer patients to have appointments and treatments closer to home.
The first of these centres was The Christie at Oldham, which opened in 2010 and provides around 17,500 radiotherapy treatments a year.
The Christie at Macclesfield was the most recent centre to open, which provides around 32,000 appointments a year, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, haematology, and outpatient appointments.
Patients who are being treated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormonal therapies in local treatment centres or at home may have to have their first treatment in hospital to ensure they do not have an adverse reaction to an anti-cancer therapy.
The care closer to home options for Christie patients (who are clinically eligible) include:
- Chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment at The Royal Bolton Hospital, Bury Hospice, Leighton Hospital (Crewe), St Anne’s Hospice (Little Hulton), The Christie at Macclesfield, Arden House Medical Practice (New Mills), Dr Kershaw’s Hospice (Royton), Stepping Hill Hospital (Stockport), Tameside Hospital (Ashton-under-Lyne), The Royal Albert and Edward Infirmary (Wigan) and St Luke’s Hospice (Winsford).
- Around 9,000 chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments also take place in patients’ homes through the ‘at home’ service.
- Radiotherapy treatments are at The Christie at Oldham, The Christie at Salford, and The Christie at Macclesfield.
- ‘Bloods closer to home’ clinics at Altrincham Health and Wellbeing Centre, Bolton Hospice, Bury Hospice, Dr Kershaw’s Hospice (Royton), St Anne’s Hospice (Cheadle), St Anne’s Hospice (Little Hulton), St Luke’s Hospice (Winsford), and Tameside Hospital (Ashton-under-Lyne).
Read more about how and where The Christie is delivered care closer to home here: Chemotherapy care closer to home
A joint response service is live across Greater Manchester’s rail network, bringing together mental health professionals, British Transport Police, and railway colleagues to better support people in crisis.
The 12-month pilot, funded by Network Rail and delivered in partnership with Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and local Trusts, sees a senior mental health practitioner paired with a British Transport Police officer to attend crisis incidents directly on the rail network.
Together, they assess individuals and guide them toward the most appropriate care—whether that’s a local crisis helpline, GP, or community support service—helping to avoid unnecessary A&E visits or hospital admissions under Section 136.
The service operates five days a week and covers Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas including Chorley, Warrington, Buxton, and Macclesfield. Its goal is to offer compassionate, timely support while ensuring the dignity and safety of individuals during a vulnerable moment.
By providing a more joined-up, community-first response, the service not only improves outcomes for people in crisis but also allows police and NHS staff to focus their efforts where they’re needed most.
This pilot builds on the success of similar initiatives in Liverpool and Greater Manchester, offering a lifeline to those in need—right where they are.
Find out more: penninecare.nhs.uk/about-us/latest-news/next-stop-better-crisis-mental-health-support