The contract covers diabetes, stroke and neuro rehabilitation, and intermediate care therapy, as well as an all-age podiatry service.

A spokesperson for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB said: ‘Community health services play a vital role in supporting people to live well and independently in their own homes.

‘In line with the Government's long-term vision, we want to move care away from hospitals and closer to people's homes. The decision to award a single contract is intended to provide greater stability for community services, support closer partnership working and create a strong platform for ongoing improvement and transformation.'

The contract will cover West Lancashire, a predominantly rural district with a population of around 118,000 people, including Skelmersdale, Ormskirk and surrounding villages and runs for three years, from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031, with the option to extend for a further two years.

A trust spokesperson said: ‘This is an exciting opportunity to broaden the footprint in which MWL delivers community services to our local population, supporting the NHS 10-Year Plan ambition to shift care closer to home and strengthen provision from hospital to community settings. As part of this contract, we are pleased to welcome Mersey Care as our partner in delivering specialist community services, which will further enhance both the quality and range of support available throughout the community.'