Book excerpt: This book explores the link between the ‘corridors of power’ where healthcare policy is made and the hospital, health center or clinic where it is carried out. It encourages and empowers readers to make changes in the public’s involvement at a local level and explains how this impacts positively on organizational culture. A user-friendly book written in a light and easy-to-read style, it combines theoretical arguments with tried and tested practical applications and features contributions from a wide range of experienced professionals. This is essential reading for every member of the healthcare team. It will be of particular interest to patient and public involvement leads as well as patient advice and liaison service workers, healthcare policy makers and shapers, students and patient groups.