6 January 2022

We have increased the hourly rate for people taking part in involvement activities (Experts by Experience). 

From 1 January 2022, CNWL now offers the following rates:

  • For standard involvement work, like attending specific meetings, staff interview panels, QI projects, contributing to the revision of documents and materials; the session fee offered will be £11.50 an hour. This rate is now higher than the London Living Wage and the Trust has committed to always match or exceed the London Living Wage.
  • For enhanced involvement work, such as facilitating or chairing meetings, chairing recruitment panels, designing or delivering training, presentations or leading a project; a session fee of £15 an hour will be offered. 

The new claim form for involvement can be found here. 

Some Experts by Experience will be involved in a mixture of activities, some at the standard rate and some at the enhanced rate. The rate being offered for each activity will be based on the task and the rate must always be made clear from the outset.

Anyone in receipt of state benefits must take care to ensure the amount received does not exceed their permitted earnings or tax allowance. An individual is entitled to decline to take part, or to ask for a lower session fee if they prefer, and teams should be supportive of this. Further advice can be sought from the Central Patient and Carer Involvement Team (details below) who can also signpost people to more bespoke advice if needed. We also have leaflets and advice on our Patient, Carer and Public Involvement Team webpage.

If you have any queries, please email involvement.cnwl@nhs.net or phone 020 3317 3735.