Collaborative Pairs is a leadership development program which brings together a consumer, patient or community leader to work with a service provider, clinician or manager to develop new ways of working together. Each pair identifies a joint healthcare challenge or project that they are passionate about and will work on for the duration of the program.

The program, which originated in the UK, aims to develop partnerships and to break down the cultural barriers that often exist between those providing services and those receiving them. 

Collaborative practice between the consumers and clinicians is an emergent area of health system management and service development, with broad reaching benefits and there is evidence of benefits to improving services, but better organisational cultures as well. In 2019, CHF concluded a demonstration trial in an Australian context, with over 40 pairs participating. A literature review and an external evaluation of the trail has now been finalised.