About us Our purpose Our purpose The Patients Association is an independent charity campaigning for improvements in health and social care for patients. Our vision is a health and care system where patients get the care they want and need, when they need it, and where their voices shape how that care is designed and delivered. Our mission is to amplify patient voices and ensure they are heard, acted on and embedded in how healthcare is delivered. We listen to patients, translate their experiences into evidence, and use that evidence to influence policy, hold systems to account, and drive real and lasting improvements in care. Our independence is our greatest asset. It allows us to challenge the system when it fails patients, and to work in genuine partnership with those committed to improvement. We speak up for patients regardless of condition, background or where they live. The Patients Association Strategy 2026–2030 As we look ahead to 2030, our ambition is to be recognised as the independent voice advocating for patients, giving them the tools to navigate their care, ensuring their voices are heard, and driving demonstrable change in policy, services, and patient experiences. Download and learn more. Building on our work from 2021–25, our new strategy sharpens our focus on where we can make the greatest difference. We work through a continuous cycle: listening to patients, translating their experiences into robust evidence and using that evidence to influence policy and practice. Our independence allows us to challenge the system when it fails patients. Our credibility allows us to partner effectively with those committed to improvement. And our cross-condition focus means we can identify the systemic issues that others miss. >Download our 2026-2030 strategy (full) >Download our 2026-2030 strategy (short) We deliver our mission through four connected core services: >Learn more and find out how we can support you. Our core values ensure we never lose sight of what we're trying to achieve. These core values serve to guide our decision-making and the strategic direction of the Patients Association, and fundamentally underpin everything we do. Board of Trustee's statement on diversity Diversity goes to the heart of the Patients Association and we are committed to being a diverse organisation, tackling inequality in all its forms. Diversity is at the heart of our purpose to ensure 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. As an organisation that wants to speak for patients, it is our responsibility to understand the experiences of all patients. We do that by working in partnership with patients and stakeholders. Health inequalities are increasing. Outcomes for patients from Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority communities, and those from more socially deprived backgrounds are poorer than for patients from more affluent, white communities. If we are to play our part in reducing inequalities, we must first look at ourselves. As a board of trustees we are committed to building and maintaining a board of trustees and staff group that are diverse in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation and background. We recognise diverse perspectives contribute to better decision making and we are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where all board members and staff and volunteers feel valued, respected and empowered to share their unique insights. Manage Cookie Preferences