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Reward and recognition: the principles and practice of service user payment and reimbursement in health and social care (second edition)

This guide aims to support local health and social care organisations with the principles and practice of reimbursing and paying service users for their involvement.

It aims to provide some consistency of approach and ensure that service users are treated fairly and appropriately according to their circumstances, so that they are able to make an informed choice about the arrangements concerning their involvement.

This guide sets out:

  • the principles of best practice for reimbursement and payment for involvement
  • the roles and responsibilities for service users and NHS and social care organisations
  • advice on the implications of paying and reimbursing service users who are in receipt of benefits.

The focus of this guide is on enabling and ensuring equitable access for service users to involvement activities. It is not intended to be a technical or detailed guide on benefits advice but it does provide information on benefit rules considered to be most relevant. Further expert advice on benefits should be sought where necessary.

This guide has been developed in consultation with relevant service user and patient organisations, and health and social care organisations.

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