ABSTRACT
This book is divided into three main parts. The first part explores the wider context within which community involvement in health is placed. To this end there are chapters exploring the history of both community involve ment in general, and specifically community involvement within health. Although the book is mostly concerned with the United Kingdom, there is also a brief look at the international context. This is then brought up to date in subsequent chapters which bring together a comprehensive overview of what the current situation looks like in terms of policies and practice. Finally, the first part explores why community involvement is important and looks at the benefits to a range of stakeholders, including local people, communities, the NHS, wider social welfare organisations and society as a whole.
