Background Eight years ago Day Therapy (DT) services switched from being a mainly social/medical model, towards a therapeutic model, alongside medical care. There was a focus on providing ‘specialist’ palliative care and moving away from social models of care. Over time, with a changing patient population, it became apparent that this model was not meeting their needs and was providing a costly service for those with only social needs. Services were re-evaluated and a new model was developed to address the needs of our current and future patients.

Aims To move from a ‘specialist’ DT model towards a mixed model, including a range of outpatient opportunities and more ‘light touch’ services. To evaluate services including attendance figures, OACC (Outcome Assessment and Complexity Collaborative) and other outcome measures and user feedback.

Methods Some existing services maintained, alongside new services:

• Therapeutic group work for those with complex physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs, including nursing assessment and involvement of MDT as appropriate

• Rehabilitative and psychoeducational groups encouraging self management

• Increased outpatient services

• Social drop–in groups, including café style and creative social groups, delivered by a therapy assistant and volunteer.

Results Due to routine overbooking, between 96%–120% of available sessions were booked with attendance ranging from 46% to 101%. Drop-in sessions were particularly successful, with 92%–101% attendance. Around 70% of people accessing services have a non-cancer diagnosis. User feedback has been positive for sessions, including quotes such as ‘supportive’ and ‘something to get out of bed for’. OACC data have demonstrated that people have complex, multidimensional needs. De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale outcomes have improved in social groups and have highlighted individuals’ social needs.

Conclusion People accessing Day Therapy services have a complex mixture of physical, psychological and social needs and services need to be designed to meet these in appropriate and cost effective ways.