SAN DIEGO -- UCSD Medical Center is planning a major expansion that could affect care in two communities.

The medical center in Hillcrest has a long-range plan to move its trauma program, acute care services and inpatient beds to Thornton hospital in La Jolla.

Emergency and urgent care services will remain in Hillcrest, 10News reported.

The Thorton hospital will have three centers: preventive, emergency and outpatient care.

The purpose of the plan is to improve patient care.

"To try to run two different hospitals and provide complex care when you don't have the same team provding that care in two hospitals is not only less efficient but there is good data to show medical outcomes are not as good," said UCSD Physician-In-Chief, Dr. Thomas McAffe.

The proposed changes are expected to take 10 to 15 years.