[excerpt by authors]"This report presents the findings of a short review of evidence. The aim was to provide an overview of evidence to contribute to the debate on, and inform the development of, the policy on shifting the balance of care a key theme within health and community care policy which is intended to bring about improvements in service delivery and health outcomes. Shifting the balance of care is a term used to describe change at a number of levels, for example, shifting the location of care towards more community-based facilities, shifting the focus of care towards long term conditions and changing the roles and responsibilities of patients and professionals."