Background With the recognition of the growing number of people living longer with cancer and other life-limiting illness the hospice have undertaken a review of the service we offer.

Through a series of focus groups with patients and professionals from hospital and community teams it was evident that there was a need for a different kind of support for some patients. Therefore a new hospice service a six-week programme called the ‘Be in Charge’ programme was introduced.

Aim

• To help patients cope better with the symptoms of their illness and take more control in their own care

• To provide a space to talk and share experiences with other patients in similar situations

• To have an opportunity to learn coping skills to manage symptoms and the difficulties they may be experiencing

• The opportunity to have an introduction to the hospice and the services offered as well as identity a need for a different level of support

Method This new programme does involve sessions to teach patients coping skills and is delivered by a multiprofessional team skilled in supporting patients with complex needs. Each week includes an exercise session and an opportunity to try several forms of relaxation. The programme is supported throughout with a cognitive behavioural therapies approach.

Results All patients are given a patient questionnaire as well as completing a Holistic Assessment of Needs Tool, an outcome measure completed prior to the group and afterwards to establish what benefit the group had made to patients’ needs.

Pre and post exercise tolerance tests and evaluations are used.

Conclusion Overall the results are extremely positive identifying that the ‘Be in Charge’ group was a real success. Therefore with the support from the hospice board of trustees we have now gained funding in order to deliver six programmes a year.