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Methods A K&M Hospice Group was formed to gather data from years 2019-2022, which demonstrated cost and activity. The group pursued focussed communication with the CCG leadership team, ensuring ongoing feedback to keep hospice funding as a priority. Results £1m of additional funding for 2022/3 was achieved for the group and a commitment from the CCG to working to set out a road map for increased, sustainable funding for 23/24 onwards. This enabled each hospice to better manage increased cost pressures during 2022/23 reducing any draw downs on their reserves. Conclusions Collaboration was key to this project, with all hospices speaking with one expert voice. Building strong relationships with senior CCG leaders was crucial and resilience was needed during periods of disengagement. Working together we were able to pool evidence with data demonstrating the value of hospice services, the wide range of services offered and the impact of these services on reducing inappropriate acute hospital admissions. How innovative or of interest is the abstract? Sustainable funding has been identified as a key priority for hospices, and COVID-19 highlighted the risks associated with funding essential services via a voluntary model. Despite this, many hospices have reported difficulties in getting commissioners to engage in meaningful discussion. It is hoped this project will provide a template for other hospices to replicate the successful collaboration that was achieved in Kent & Medway.

The aim of this article is to enhance community nurses' understanding of the needs of people who wish to die at home. To facilitate a home death, nurses should ensure care is person centred, undertake holistic assessments and support advance care planning, underpinned by advanced communication skills. After reading this article and completing the time out activities you should be able to:» Outline what person-centred end of life care entails and how this approach can be applied in practice.» Recognise the main components of a holistic assessment of a person dying at home.

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