The ACCORD Hospice journey is progressing towards its 35^th year of providing palliative care to patients and families affected by a life limiting illness. In order to develop and evolve, a successful organisation continuously needs to review its strategy. In an ever-changing landscape we need to be reflective and respond to patient need, external drivers in healthcare and government strategy, quality measures, legislation and finance.

The document produced by the Scottish Government – ‘Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care’ has been instrumental in shaping the content and direction of our new strategy. The vision of this document is that ‘by 2021, everyone who needs palliative care will have access to it’. The main objectives of the Framework can be summarised as follows:

• The whole community becomes more aware of the importance of good palliative and end of life care.

• In each community, a network of care will be developed so that palliative and end of life services are provided in more settings and by a wider variety of professions. Access to these services will be available to all who can benefit regardless of age, gender, diagnosis, social group or location.

• All palliative and end of life care should be characterised by an identifiable ethos. It should be multidisciplinary, clinically excellent and person centred while catering for physical, psychological and social needs of the patient and his or her family and carers.

• The resources needed to fulfil this vision will come from central government, local authorities, health boards and wider sources of support within communities.

After such an extensive review we are pleased to present the new Strategic Plan for ACCORD Hospice. We hope it reflects the above government strategy as well as local strategic plans and patient needs. Along with building on the existing excellent work we have achieved we want to ensure we are able to continue to grow and successfully meet the increasing demand for our services.

Why not join us on this journey as the future of ACCORD Hospice begins now!

The full strategy can be accessed from the About Us section