The Patients Association is an independent patient charity campaigning for improvements in health and social care for patients.

Uniquely for an organisation with a remit covering all health and care issues, we work with patients directly: they are our members and supporters, and also the people who benefit from our help and advice services. Through our helpline we support thousands of people each year with their concerns and queries about the health and social care system. 

We also speak to government, the NHS and other stakeholders about patients' priorities and concerns, to ensure the patient voice is heard and acted upon. 

Our purpose

To ensure that everybody can access and benefit from the health and care they need to live well, by ensuring that services are designed and delivered through equal partnership with patients.

Strategic focus 2021-25

Patient partnership in the design and delivery of health and care services.

Our core values ensure we never lose sight of what we're trying to achieve.

• Compassion: we treat patients, their families and carers with respect, sympathy and understanding

• Collaboration: we share knowledge and work with others to achieve common goals

• Inclusiveness: we work to fulfil our mission equitably and for the benefit of all, guarding against discrimination and disadvantage

• Empowerment: we support patients, their families and carers to take action on their own wellbeing and wider decision-making

• Ambition: we aim to deliver our mission to the highest standards.

These core values serve to guide our decision-making and the strategic direction of the Patients Association, and fundamentally underpin everything we do.

Our Board diversity statement outlines how we implement these values in recruiting and working with our trustees.

Our strategy

Read our 2021-25 strategy

Our 2019 annual review

Read our 2019 Annual Review