Background We identified the need to educate and up skill colleagues to improve the care of patients across all settings, with a life-limiting diagnosis in North Derbyshire. Challenges in providing education include the need to inspire the workforce, timing of education, staff release and the costs of venues and speakers.

Aims Implementation of free evening, open access education seminars for health and social care professionals across North Derbyshire.

Methods Our day hospice has capacity for 100 people and is now utilised for monthly education. We described our vision to our colleagues in primary and secondary care of providing free education and asked for their assistance to ensure a collaborative approach. We had no budget for speakers and relied on goodwill. We obtain Royal College of Physicians CPD accreditation for the lectures. We do not have to pay for accreditation as the sessions are free and simple refreshments are provided. We are registered with Eventbrite and this provides us with a register and email contact detail of all participants, minimising staff administration costs. Presentations are then emailed to attendees after the event. A certificate of attendance is rewarded on completion of a feedback questionnaire. The feedback is collated and fed back to speakers.

Results Topics presented include: management of end stage heart failure, renal disease, updates in oncological management of breast, bowel and lung cancers, symptom management, and the changing face of palliative care. Attendees include doctors, nurses from diverse care settings, AHPs, and social care staff. Attendance ranges from 43–106 personnel. In 2016–2017 we delivered education to 575 people. Feedback is excellent including staff feeling better equipped to support and manage patients.

Conclusion Evening education seminars are a successful means to educate the wider workforce. Our aim is to continue to build on our success with new and innovative topics into the future.