How to work with people and communities

People and communities should be at the heart of how we shape and improve our health and care services. The statutory guidance on Working in partnership with people and communities helps us to understand what is working well and what needs to change.  Our health and care systems need to use a range of approaches to not only listen to and act on the views of patients and the public but to work alongside people and communities so that we can achieve better health outcomes for everyone.  

When we work with people and communities we should always consider who will be most impacted and how to build in breadth and depth to reach the people you need to involve.

Online course

Our course on FutureLearn Working with People and Communities to Improve Health Outcomes explores some of these issues and approaches.

How To series

Our “How To…” series covers a range of topics to help colleagues work in partnership with people and communities.  Each guide includes three sections:  

  • Core principles that underpin the topic.   
  • Practical tips to support working with people and communities   
  • Learning more – signposting to places you can find out more 

  “How to work with people and communities” guides include:  

If you have any feedback on these guides or have suggestions about a new topic, please contact the Public Participation team at england.engagement@nhs.net  

To get more updates around working with people and communities, and how to get involved in NHS England’s work, follow us on Twitter: @NHSCitizen.