‘Nothing about us without us’ is a slogan that underlines the importance of engaging end-users in the development of programmes and policies. Although the concept has been widely used in politics, activism and social life, government-organised health services rarely seek patient and public input when developing new health programmes. Experts, physicians, public health leaders and others make the key decisions about what health services to offer and how they are delivered. End-user perspectives have been largely overlooked in the process of sexual health service planning. How can patients and the public be more involved in setting health priorities? This is the central question raised by a study organised by a multidisciplinary team in Liverpool.