From the outset the team at Oldham included representation from the PCT, social services, local hospital, GP practices, Expert Patient Programme and pharmacy. Patients were also involved in developing the local approach to Unique Care.

Eight community matrons were recruited, covering all localities and linked to all 47 general practices in August 2005 for the pilot. The social services department provided a nominal budget for the community matron team to allow for emergency packages of care to be implemented for people with long-term conditions to prevent admission to acute services.

There have been important reductions in service use recorded. There has been an overall reduction in unplanned admissions for the over-65 practice populations of 25%, and an overall reduction in bed days for the over-65 practice populations of 20% over the period October 2004 to August 2006.