The team works in partnership with the NHS, voluntary organisations and patient/carer groups. This enables the public to get maximum benefit from our products and services.

Liaison takes place with those in the NHS whose legal duty it is to advise and consult service users to ensure that our work is inclusive. There are existing routes to reach patients and the public, which we use for our consultations, research and evaluation.

Our partners include:

• The Department of Health

A range of other voluntary sector organisations including national umbrella groups

• The National Association for Patient Participation
• The SHA Patient and Public Engagement Leads
• The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) network
• Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS)
• NHS Direct
• NHS Institute for Innovation & Improvement

When the new Local Involvement Networks (LINks) are in place, we will work in partnership with the national bodies which emerge to represent their interests.