ABSTRACT
Despite only being conceptualised in 1977, co-production has made a significant impact on service provision in several different contexts. To explore the nature of this impact, a comprehensive literature search was undertaken, examining specifically the benefits of co-production and the challenges. The challenges were particularly explored to present a balanced, unbiased perspective and also to support future aspects of this text to further expand the concept. In terms of benefits, the findings could be divided into three themes: advantages to the person, to the organisation and to both. Following this, the challenges were also categorised and explored under a number of different themes including the challenges to culture, to blurring distinctions, challenges relating to the limitations of co-production and finally to Covid-19. The chapter concludes with some hints as to how these findings will support other chapters in this text in furthering the implementation of the concept within mental health service provision.
