The first 29 'vanguard' sites for new models of primary care have been announced by NHS England.
Between them the sites will be piloting the three models set out in the Five Year Forward View released last year. These are multispeciality community providers (MCPs), integrated primary and acute care systems (PACS) and models of enhanced health in care homes.
The chosen sites will develop local health and care services to keep people well, and bring home care, mental health and community nursing, GP services and hospitals together.
It is estimated that more than five million patients will benefit and that these new models will reduce hospital admissions for diseases such as cancer and dementia, create single point access for GPs, community nurses, social and mental health services, and access to tests, dialysis or chemotherapy much closer to home.
Among the sites chosen as MCP vanguards is the Whitstable Health Centre, Kent.
Debbie Franks, the lead nurse there, said: 'I am very excited by the news that our practice is one of the ''vanguard'' practice's providing health and social care to patients closer to home.
'I think working closer with community nurses will only bring benefit to our patients as we will be able to deliver a more integrated service and we will also be able to learn from each other.'
The 29 sites will receive a share of the £200m transformation fund. From April 2015 the sites will also receive tailored support from NHS England based on their local need to put the models in place. These will include community engagement, leadership, using digital technology to redesign care, and joined up procurement.
IN previously covered the impact that MCPs could have in developing practice nurses in three practice nurses in three different community sites.