A new series of guides giving practical advice to Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) about the value of patient and public engagement has been published by NHS Networks.

The first four in a series of 10 Smart guides to engagement cover:

• the background to the guides
• the social and economic benefits
• dealing with LINks and local HealthWatch, and
• the role of lay members and patient representatives on CCG boards.

The guides are available to download from NHS Networks at www.networks.nhs.uk/nhs-networks/smart-guides and CCGs are also invited to leave feedback.