Benefits of involvement

There are many reasons to engage in involvement work and Together has identified the following as the most important:

It's a legal duty

Working with people who use our services is not a recommendation or an optional extra. NHS Trusts have a duty to involve patients and the public in certain decisions which affect the planning and delivery of services. Through involvement work, we are complying with the law.

It promotes shared decision making which improves the quality of services

By making decisions together, staff and people with lived experience can combine their knowledge and skills to improve services. Involvement work allows everyone's perspective to be considered so their needs can be prioritised. This increases the quality, availability and continuity of services.

It enables staff and people who use services to develop relationships with each other and collaborate to effect change

Through appreciating each other's perspectives and working together, staff and people with lived experience develop equal and reciprocal relationships. They can identify what needs to be changed and pool their resources to bring about these changes.

It has the potential to save time, money and resources in the long-term

When services are developed with the people who use them, it is easier to identify the most effective and accessible treatments and support. This avoids time, money and resources being wasted on options which are inappropriate. Often, the solutions found are more cost-efficient and use time more effectively.

It creates more person-centred services tailored to individuals' needs

When people with lived experience have their views considered, services are better positioned to offer more flexibility. This means treatments and support can be tailored to individuals' needs, which improves health outcomes.

It increases transparency and understanding

Working together enables staff and people with lived experience to be more open and honest with each other. They can understand each other's point of view and the barriers they face. The reasons for decisions are clear and justified.

It empowers people with lived experience and improves health outcomes

When experts by experience know their work makes a difference, they feel empowered to change both their own health and the services they use. This results in a mutually beneficial process which improves health outcomes for individuals and at the organisational level