Background Hospice day services enable those living with a life-limiting illness to access a range of services within a safe environment while at the same time providing respite and support to their family caregivers. We recognised the need for a more therapeutic service model and set about developing a new proposal, incorporating user involvement to improve the quality of the service.

Aim To develop and implement a new day service proposal, providing a more therapeutic environment which gives the patient an increased sense of confidence and empowerment to support them in living with their illness as well as providing support to carers.

Methods In July 2021 a working group was established to generate thoughts on our new day service. A survey was also sent to patients and carers to establish their wishes and our local Hospice User Group was asked to contribute.

Results The working group came up with a 5-day service offering a person-centred day service programme comprising a range of group sessions and physical well-being classes.

User Feedback = Top 5 service needs - complementary therapy (92%); long term condition clinics (84%); listening support (77%), counselling (62%); coffee mornings (62%); health and wellbeing services (62%). Other suggestions included a Progressive Supranuclear Palsy clinic, specific support for an illness, keep fit classes and various workshops i.e., how to deal with loss, what to expect before death.

Conclusion A re-evaluation of hospice day services involving staff and users has enabled us to develop a comprehensive day service proposal which we are now in the process of implementing. Progress to date includes an increased complementary therapy service, the establishment of a carer support group, and more recently a weekly coffee and cake morning. The implementation plan is still underway, and we aim to have our new hospice day service - ‘The Hive’ - fully up and running within three months.