As the Fosen service matured, an intermediate-care facility was created, where people could be admitted for a few days and cared for by community primary care doctors working closely with hospital specialists. With support from the specialist hospital, Fosen DMC is providing a comprehensive package of care and services closer to where residents live, minimising travel time, promoting patient-centred care, and avoiding costly admissions to the acute hospital. For example, when the hospital was persuaded to locale an audiologist at Fosen DMC, his lists were soon full, patients were satisfied, and patient transport costs for which the hospital had been previously liable were reduced. Evidence of staff satisfaction can be seen in veiy low absence rates of around 3%.