US-based non-profit healthcare group Sharp HealthCare has partnered with Palomar Health to expand access to medical services in the North County region of San Diego, California.

The partners have signed a ‘fully executed’ letter of intent that preserves Palomar Health's public designation and is not an acquisition.

They aim to maximise inpatient, outpatient and ambulatory services for the local community by establishing joint programmes across various clinical service lines.

Sharp's expansion into North County will include primary care and medical specialities tailored to community needs.

Palomar's patients will gain access to Sharp's specialised and higher-acuity services, such as transplants and advanced oncology procedures, which are not currently available at Palomar.

Palomar Health president and CEO Diane Hansen said: “We are honoured to be partnering with such an esteemed organisation (as Sharp).

“By working together and reimagining healthcare to make it even more accessible we will be able to address gaps in healthcare services, providing more comprehensive care options and ensuring that our patients receive the highest standard of care close to home.”

Based in San Diego, Sharp has an extensive network that includes four acute-care hospitals, affiliated medical groups, three speciality hospitals and a health plan.

The group employs around 19,000 employees and 2,700 affiliated physicians in total.

Sharp HealthCare president and CEO Chris Howard said: “Sharp is most excited about our new collaboration, which is based on Palomar and Sharp’s shared commitment to high-quality care, effective service delivery, extraordinary patient experience and reducing the cost of care.

“District hospitals like Palomar Health are vitally important to the communities they serve, and as we have proven through our longstanding partnership with Sharp Grossmont Hospital, we will work together to ensure this partnership is positioned to meet the health care needs of North County.”