Background Over a two year period from 2015–2017, Queen Margaret University (QMU) facilitated a programme of practice development with a key group of multi-professional clinical and non-clinical staff. The Person-centred Practice Framework developed and updated by McCormack and McCance in 2016, continues to guide this on-going programme of work.

Aims The overall aim was to move towards a shared vision of person-centred culture that focused strongly on people’s individual beliefs and values, processes and the care environment.

Methods Transformational methods demonstrating the principles of practice development (McCormack et al., 2013) were used to create and define the person-centred vision and to explore and evaluate person-centred culture. The overall approach used the CIP principles – to be collaborative, inclusive and participative therefore the key group acted as facilitators for the wider hospice team. Evaluation methods included staff and patient stories and observations of care and environment. Facilitated events also took place to explore workplace culture, relationships and practices within designated teams.

Results Measuring culture change is challenging and often takes place over a longer period than the two-year time frame of facilitation and active learning with QMU. Observations and feedback do however show demonstrable change. External teams have commented on the cohesiveness of teams with less silo-working and a greater understanding of each other’s purpose and values. The sessions to explore workplace culture also seem to have heightened self-awareness and instigated some changed behaviours in practice. More obvious and measurable changes have been to the physical environment which is much now more colourful and welcoming. This enhances an overall impression of culture shift and person-centredness.

Conclusion The person-centred processes that have been used in all aspects of the work have proved to be effective and will continue through active facilitation and integration within all areas of the hospice in the future.