ABSTRACT
This chapter describes that how most patients are experts in their own right, and good judges of healthcare. Primary care trusts need to develop skills to engage, understand and interpret the views of patients. Primary care trusts could really come into their own if they gave a proper place to meaningful involvement with their very different patient and client groups. Primary care clinical governance committees need to work much more closely with patients, as well as with their colleagues in the acute sector, and to share the results of their work. The Health Data 2000 Self-Help Groups database can be provided with a shell to populate with your own local health information, including local groups, health authority details, primary care details, National Health Service trusts, opticians and dentists. The College of Health has produced over 500 audio tapes on health-related topics. Using a question-and-answer format, the factsheets provide important basic information, often including further sources of health advice and support.
