Background 21 years ago our hospice evolved to facilitate local residents to be able to die in their home wherever possible. However, as the current professional landscape is evolving amid a plethora of regulation, a new initiative is taking control of its metamorphosis from an altruistic venture into a pioneering professional organisation committed not only to the safe delivery of high quality care fit for purpose in the 21 st century, but as an exemplar of innovation and gold standard bespoke person-centred care.

Aims To ensure that the service not only complies with CQC standards but seeks to work towards ‘Outstanding’ by enhancing patient centred care

To ensure that as a charitable organisation the care services provide best value for money in a clear transparent patient focused evidence-based service.

Method The organisation took the unique decision to employ two senior nurses explicitly to drive forward this ambition. They are tasked with two broad key drivers: training and development; quality improvement. Their roles are designed to be both interactive and most crucially, interdependent. The methods employed include:

• developing standards of practice

• deficits identified

• organisation specific training and development

• developing a training and development matrix

• developing quality framework and model

• developing standards of practice

• audit based on agreed standards

• develop an induction package for new staff

• set up appraisal framework.

Results Currently the senior nurses have only been in post for 12 weeks and already there have been significant positive developments. Work is in progress in all areas and the two key frameworks will act as a single platform to analyse, plan and measure future achievements.

Conclusion This is early days in the development of this unique partnership, however, the positivity so far has been encouraging and supported by all staff, volunteers and trustees.