Many have asked "what is the benefit of the DHP over the current situation?" We believe that the responsiveness of research to community health needs and the balance of research and teaching outcomes in academic institutions can be improved, and stronger incentives to integrate research outcomes into clinical practice can be provided. The DHP is thus set up differently to a clinical research centre. The aim of our DHP is to improve health outcomes by means of coordinated excellence in teaching, research and clinical care. Technical efficiencies and excellence in care mean that financial efficiencies will occur. Joint clinical, research and teaching initiatives are underway, and plans are being developed to teach future clinical staff the science of clinician-directed, rational use of medical resources. These include pathology, imaging services, pharmaceuticals and patient referrals, assisted by published expert guidelines. There are significant administrative and personnel issues to surmount, but planning for integration has begun, and plans for turning research outcomes into clinical care plans are already emerging.