Patient safety partners: 2025 survey review and recommendations (published 3 August 2026)

Summary

This review presents findings from the 2025 national survey on the implementation of patient safety partners (PSPs), in line with the Framework for involving patients in patient safety (IPIPS). It also draws learning from the patient safety partners 2023 survey.

The review:

• highlights what is working well
• identifies areas where challenges persist and improvement is needed
• sets out recommendations for patient safety partners, patient safety leaders, NHS trusts, integrated care boards (ICBs) and NHS England
• outlines the steps NHS England will take in response to the findings

Learning and actions for NHS England

• By autumn 2026, highlight to trust leadership and patient safety teams the decline in involvement payment rates (from 56% in 2023 to 51% in 2025) and reaffirm that payment is expected and supports inclusion.
• Publish an updated PSP role description by autumn 2026, including co-designed updates for mental health and primary care organisations.
• Host a national webinar for PSPs by autumn 2026, presenting key survey findings and providing a space for PSPs to ask questions and share experiences.
• Present the findings and recommendations in this review at a national PSS webinar in autumn 2026.
• Co-create a presentation about the role of PSPs and how PSPs can ask good questions, for sharing and local adaptation by autumn 2026 (to be made available on Futures collaboration platform).
• Share this review across NHS England communications channels.

Read the full review on the NHS England website via the link below.