<p>Involving patients in the teaching of healthcare staff is not a new concept, but there is a shortage of literature on the subject. This article focuses on the experiences of staff on an established education and training programme for HIV and other blood-borne viruses. The programme involved four patients in the teaching of nurses and other health and social care staff. This article describes the recruitment, preparation and methods used, as well as the possibilities of transferring the methodology to other subject areas. The author concludes that there are advantages and disadvantages to be considered before embarking on such a programme.</p>