BackgroundThe person with the diagnosis and their friends/family should be able to talk things over with a range of agencies to ask questions about the diagnosis and what it means for them. Information on help and support is available but is often poorly signposted. People with dementia (PwD) should have access to information on how to stay physically and mentally well in their own homes.AimsDementia hubs aim to fill this gap, providing practical information and support for PwD and their families/carers, and also for those who are worried about their memory. With clear and sensible information about recognising symptoms, research, getting help, managing financially, staying at home, treatment, being a carer and staying positive, these events will help PwD and their families to make sure that they can stay well and happy as long as possible.MethodsA ‘Listening Event’ was held before both Dementia Hubs commenced, with the purpose of allowing PwD and their families the chance to have their say about what support they would like to see at a new hub initiative. The Hubs provide advice/information from a wide range of organisations and individuals, eg nurses, financial planners, social workers, benefits advisers, carers support, the CQC, the Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK and many others.ResultsThe Bay Dementia Hub which is held at St John’s Hospice commenced Sept 2016 and has gone from strength to strength. Over 16 service-providers attend every month. The Fylde Coast Dementia Hub is held at Trinity Hospice has only recently started but it is hoped that it will be just as successful.ConclusionThe Hubs bring together people from many organisations and disciplines, within and beyond the hospice, to facilitate a ‘one-stop shop’. To have service providers and health care support, all under one roof is quite unique!

In 2013 a survey of non-qualified staff within one 20 bedded hospice was conducted as part of understanding their concerns about meeting the needs of patients with advanced cancer.In response to the survey which showed that staff on the whole underestimated the palliative care needs of this group and expressed concerns around how to communicate with someone with significant cognitive impairment.The hospice has run a number of training events around dementia open to both qualified and non-qualified staff and has become part of the “dementia friends’” initiative. In addition the in-patient unit underwent an extensive refurbishment which aimed at making the environment more suitable for those with cognitive and visual impairment. The survey was repeated in 2015 across the same groups of non-qualified staff to see if there had been any change in their understanding and perceptions.A total of 65 staff and volunteers have attended a “let’s respect” Course run by the local council.A total of 90 staff and volunteers have become dementia friends.Abstract P-70 Table 1 2013 2015 Response Rate20/43 (46.5%)32/50 (64%)Number over estimating life expectancy16/20 (81%)20/32 (63%)Concerns about their ability to meet a patient with dementia needs15/20 (75%)On-going analysisThe interventions undertaken appear to have raised awareness with more staff willing to be involved in the survey and greater understanding of the condition. Further analysis of the results will be presented at the conference.Further work is being done to see what additional support can be given to address the on-going concerns of the non-qualified staff and enable them to attend appropriate training to build their confidence.