DETAILED plans to transform the way health services are provided in West Somerset and make Minehead's proposed new community hospital the lynchpin of local care were unveiled for the first time yesterday (Thursday). The Somerset Coast Primary Care Trust (PCT) published its outline business case for a 20-bed development on land off Seaward Way - now estimated to cost £20 million - which will become the blueprint for funding approval and the eventual construction of the hospital through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI). Health chiefs estimate that the range of facilities planned will cut the number of emergency admissions to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton - currently the nearest "acute provider"- by 441 a year, allowing people to be treated as close to home as possible for a range of medical and cardiology problems. This would give the new hospital a projected 900 day cases. An extended outpatient unit would also mean the total number of outpatient appointments at the new hospital would rise by around 6,000 on present figures to an estimated 14,500 a year. The expansion is expected to reduce the number of new referrals to the acute sector by 50 per cent, with the consequential reductions in follow up appointments. The PCT hopes to buy around six acres of land from West Somerset District Council who on Wednesday backed a bid to buy 11.5 acres between the West Somerset Community College and Seaward Way as a site for both the hospital and the New Horizons lifelong learning and leisure centre. But the land deal still hinges on the agreement of the Crown Estate - one of two owners of the earmarked site - which it is hoped will be secured within the next week. A special meeting of the PCT on Tuesday is expected to give it backing to the outline business case. Its members will be told in a report that the development of the new community hospital will radically change the way current services are delivered, whilst also providing new and expanded health services. But the report makes it clear that the project is not about replicating current services and care regimes. "It is about creating a modern leading edge approach to the local delivery of healthcare utilising the latest clinical approaches and technology for the benefit of patients." The vision is in line with Government guidelines which set out a new direction for community hospitals. The PCT is convinced that the new hospital will enhance both the quality and quantum of healthcare for West Somerset's growing population, whilst also easing the current clinical burden on the Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust, which runs Musgrove Park Hospital, by reducing referrals and admissions and also allowing earlier discharge of patients back to the new hospital or straight to home with a "package of care". The planned number of beds would be a reduction on the 27 provided in the existing town centre hospital - a move that sparked some concern during consultations on the new development last year. But the PCT has estimated that by reducing patients' average length of stay from the current 19.8 days to 13.5 and increasing occupancy from just over 71 per cent to 90 per cent, just over 13 beds would be needed to meet existing demand. However, a further 6.2 beds would be needed for the additional emergency admissions which would hopefully be redirected from Musgrove Park Hospital. Although the design of the new development is still at a preliminary stage with architects, it is likely to be a "green building", constructed from non-toxic, low energy materials and would use low energy systems to minimise environmental damage. The outpatients, therapies, X-ray, dental and day surgery facilities would be located on the ground floor of the new hospital, with inpatient wards on the first floor. A "green travel plan" would also be developed for access to the hospital, with local bus companies also hopefully providing services. The PCT expects to submit a planning application for the development within the next two months