ABSTRACT
To many, Lyme Regis will epitomize both seaside small town and rural England. Lyme Regis, as elsewhere, was faced with health and social care reforms which laid emphasis on obtaining best value for money from the limited financial resources available. The Dorset Health and Family Health Services Authorities reached agreement to form the Dorset Health Commission–amongst the first in a new breed of strategic health care planners and purchasers. A small amount is 'top-sliced' to fund the Commission and some long-term county-wide initiatives but the remainder is allocated for exclusive use by the Lyme Community Care Unit and its community. Alongside the hospital-at-home scheme a mental health initiative has emerged involving a newly appointed community psychiatric nurse and part-time qualified counsellor. The employment of a full-time community health advisor was only possible by the transfer of funds from secondary care and subsequent savings on local services.
