This evidence scan describes research about the ways that patients have been involved in improving the safety of healthcare in the UK and elsewhere.

It addresses the questions:

• How have patients and carers been involved in improving safety in healthcare?
• Is there any evidence that patient involvement leads to improved safety?

It shows that supporting patient involvement in safety improvement will not solve all the safety issues or negate the responsibility of health systems and professionals to provide safe care but involving patients and carers can be an important component of broader strategies.