Introduction Hospices need to establish their role as a solution to the future challenges in End of Life Care and collaborate with other health providers are to ensure that hospices remain influential in the NHS of the future.¹ Commissioning is a pivotal system for ensuring the correct services are provided for the local community,² and commissioners are encouraged to develop joint commissioning systems.³

Aims The hospice wanted to have a central role in driving improvement in End of Life Care across our locality, widening the spectrum of those who benefit from high quality, co-ordinated care.

Methods The hospice became a co-commissioner with the local CCG in 2014. As well as the specialist palliative care service, we have responsibility for the local electronic patient register and a 24 h single point of access. We commission specialist palliative care for young adults from another local provider and we work in partnership with GPs via a local grant, to promote identification of people for the end of life register and record their choices and care preferences.

Results We have established a key position to influence palliative care policy and delivery in our locality.

Hospice referrals have increased by 25% and the proportion of local deaths in usual place of residence have increased by 10% over the last 4 years, placing us in the top 10% of CCGs in England.

Conclusion Co-commissioning is an effective way for hospices to influence local care quality and drive up standards in end of life care in their locality. Partnerships with primary care reach a greater proportion of those in the last year of life than hospice services working in isolation.

References

1. Future ambitions for hospice care: our mission and our opportunity. Help the Hospices. 2013

2. End of Life Care Strategy: second annual report, 2010

3. RCGP Commissioning Guidance in End of Life Care. RCGP. 2013