Over the past 10 years, there have been some significant changes in the NHS, with improvements in access to services, improvement in patient safety, progress in managing long-term conditions and a drive for high quality care for all. The quality agenda and the emphasis on increased patient choice (NHS Scotland, 2010; Department of Health [DH], 2011; NHS Wales, 2012) has led to a drive for more care being delivered out of hospital and closer to home that meets patients expectations and also reduces cost.
