Developing an evidence base for patient and public involvement

This paper summarises five years' experience of patient and public involvement in primary care, citing examples from the Lanark practice and Clydesdale Local Health Care Co‐operative (LHCC) in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Strategic development and models which align primary care structures within a framework for patient and public involvement are described, along with barriers to implementation. Examples derived from clinical governance, health promotion and needs assessment include patient and carer involvement in significant event analysis and audit, joint training and patient‐held record cards. Positive outcomes reported are effective dialogue between health professionals, patients and the public, service developments and quality improvements. The success of initiatives is retrospectively assessed against the Audit Commission's critical success factors.