THE health trust which runs Leighton Hospital has launched a five-year strategy which it says is designed to provide the "right care in the right place at the right time".

The Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says the plan will help address the "rapidly changing needs of the local population in a post-pandemic world" with a focus on establishing services closer to patients' homes.

The trust has spent the last 18 months working closely with clinicians and healthcare partners, analysing in-depth health data from across Cheshire and North Staffordshire to shape the new approach.

The study shows that while patients' needs have become more complex, the way care is delivered in hospitals and communities has not moved at the same pace.

The strategy advocates four new models of care, acknowledging that while people still need access to hospital, there are many who would benefit from enhanced services closer to home.

Chief Executive of the Mid Cheshire Trust, James Sumner, said: "Working with our partners, we believe there is a unique opportunity to collaborate in new and innovative ways if we are truly to transform the way we operate as a health and social care system both in hospital and in our communities.

"This is the optimum moment to reset the way we work."

Murray Luckas, the Trust's Medical Director, added: "The next five years are going to be critical for the NHS. With patients at the centre of everything we do, our strategy aims to harness the benefits of digital technology, continue to improve our infrastructure via our newbuild programme and empower our colleagues to provide the very best care possible."

The Trust, which employs 5,000 people and serves a population of 300,000, is investing in modern clinical facilities, with a new emergency department at Leighton Hospital in Crewe due to open soon and plans for improvements at Victoria Infirmary in Northwich.

In September, the trust submitted a funding bid to the Department of Health and Social Care for a new Leighton Hospital with a decision expected by next spring.

A video explaining the trust's strategy can be viewed above and you can read more about it here.