Part of the team: Effecting change and sharing power in healthcare settings

In 2019, we, as a group of patients and researchers, were invited to rethink how the executive board received responded patient stories at specific NHS hospital trust in UK. Through an iterative series meetings, we able co-identify common concerns together develop distinctive narrative framework for effecting change by sharing experiences. This is designed help position themselves ‘part their healthcare team,’ emphasising roles responsibilities between health practitioners compare ideals with reality While project was promising, several factors led withdraw from working group—including COVID-19 pandemic changes key staff. this article, report on support structures obstacles which influenced project, well its outcomes limitations, view constructively informing future endeavours other institutions. We offer concluding reflections significance collective voice, accessibility, administrative support, senior staff buy-in. feel these are especially important since cumulative effects austerity have made meaningful commitment involvement significantly more challenging institutions, both UK beyond.