Background In Scotland children with life-limiting conditions will now survive into adulthood with increasingly complex needs resulting in a need to transition from child to adult models of care, including palliative care services. Short break stays are an important part of this process for young adults, however, there is a lack of such care resulting in inequitable access for those in need.

Aims To co-produce a new short break stay service for young adults with life-limiting conditions and evaluate the experiences and benefits to the young adults and their families.

Methods Involving the young adults and their families in the co-production of the service was achieved through discussion on a one-to-one basis and by focus groups. Short break stays were delivered within the in-patient unit of an adult hospice, in an age-appropriate environment suited to their individual needs. After their stay, each young adult and their family participated in the evaluation of the service: using the Wellbeing Outcome Measures (SHANARRI), and by completing questionnaires regarding the benefits of their stay.

Results The most beneficial aspects of providing the service were:

• Young adults were able to have a break from their parents and socialise with others while helping build confidence.

• The families and carers were able to experience a break from the responsibility of caring, to spend more time with their families, and focus on their physical and mental wellbeing.

Conclusion The number of young adults living into adulthood is increasing; they have complex needs, and the burden of care is falling to their families, potentially resulting in physical and mental illness for both. This population is in desperate need of short break stays and there is a real benefit in accessing them. Adult hospices have a role to play in the delivery of such short break stays.