Hot off the presses:
Almost a year to the day that the Director General Research and Development/Chief Medical Officer commissioned a strategic review of public involvement in the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the final report and recommendations have today been published.
Simon Denegri, the National Director for Patients and the Public in Research and Chair of INVOLVE, who ledthe review said:
‘Every day patients and the public go the extra mile to help make UK research happen. They help decide research priorities, shape its design and spread the word about its importance to fellow citizens. The public have already made a huge difference to NHS research and the work of the NIHR and there is much to celebrate.
But there is so much more to be gained if we empower and enable people to play an even greater role in the future. We must match their commitment with an equal resolve to involve voices from all parts of the community in all that we do.’
To paraphrase the Foreword in the report I would add:
‘Over the next 10 years the NIHR must seek to develop a relationship with the public such that it becomes second nature to what it does, as integral to the research it funds as accurate measurement. In this future scenario, research without evidence of public involvement would be considered flawed and the openness and transparency with which it is conducted vital to maintaining public confidence in research.
In our report and recommendations we endeavour to set out a path by which this might be achieved, a vision and strategy for improving and strengthening public involvement in the NIHR but also, we hope, across the wider health research system. We believe our conclusions and recomendations will be important in making this happen and to the UK continuing to be the international leader in this field.
On behalf of the review panel I would like to thank the patients, carers, researchers and organisations who contributed to the review. I am looking forward to working with them and the Government over the coming months to implement our report.
The more people involved in research the healthier our nation will be.’
The report lays out some initial steps for implementation and invites people’s views on what we have said. I am sure the debate will be vibrant, intelligent and constructive and show of the best of our community.
The report is live on the NIHR ‘Get Involved’ pages and can be accessed here.
Publication deadlines were tight and an accessible summary version will be available shortly. Details of the evidence provided by individuals and organisation will also be available in due course.
Notes for Editors
The Breaking Boundaries strategic review of public involvement was commissioned by the NIHR and announced on March 31st 2014. It has been an opportunity to assess how far the NIHR has been successful in achieving this original goal. Also to set a clear direction for the NIHR for the future that builds on these achievements. The review panel was asked to make a report and recommendations to NIHR according to the following terms of reference:
• A compelling vision and clear objectives for NIHR’s leadership in public involvement.
• Areas where NIHR should be looking to maximise the public’s contribution to health, social care and public health research in the future.
• Ways in which NIHR organisations should be thinking about, linking, planning and executing public involvement, participation and engagement activities.
• Options for the future support and organisation of public involvement across NIHR so that it is embedded in policy and practice.
• How NIHR can grow a diverse and inclusive public involvement community.
• Innovations and new thinking in public involvement in health, social care and public health research.
Simon DenegriChair, INVOLVE
NIHR National Director for Public Participation and Engagement in Research
Twitter: @SDenegri
Please visit my blog at;
http://simondenegri.com/
Simon DenegriChair, INVOLVE
NIHR National Director for Public Participation and Engagement in Research
Twitter: @SDenegri
Please visit my blog at;
http://simondenegri.com/
Simon DenegriChair, INVOLVE
NIHR National Director for Public Participation and Engagement in Research
Twitter: @SDenegri
Please visit my blog at;
http://simondenegri.com/
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 