A blog by Peter Gee, Senior Public Involvement Manager at Health and Care Research Wales and Eirwen Malin, public contributor
10 March 2023 marks one year since funders, regulators and research organisations who play an important role in UK health and social care research came together, working with members of the public, to sign up to a new shared commitment to improve crucial public involvement in research.
Through this work, Health and Care Research Wales is working with the Health Research Authority, the National Institute for Health and Care Research and a host of organisations across the UK to bring about changes which will drive up standards in health and social care research.
Member organisations work together to provide signposting and resources to help researchers engage with members of the public, to help ensure their research is inclusive, ethical and responsive to the needs and interests of their target population.
Public involvement in research is vital and by involving members of the public in the design, conduct, and dissemination of research, researchers can gain a better understanding of the experiences, views, and needs of their target population. This leads to more effective and appropriate interventions and treatments.
Eirwen Malin, who is a public contributor involved in developing the shared commitment, shares her experience.
Eirwen Malin, public contributorI was diagnosed with Parkinson’s nearly nine years ago. It is a condition with no cure, so following the latest research is high on my agenda. I got involved in research, firstly through Parkinson’s UK, as it was an opportunity to do something useful with the lived experience of having Parkinson’s.
“I have seen on a number of occasions the impact that involving people with relevant lived experience is able to have on the quality and efficiency of research. When the opportunity to work with this group of organisations, that are right at the heart of health and social care research in the UK, to develop a Shared Commitment to involvement I was pleased to contribute.
Professor Kieran Walshe, Director of Health and Care Research Wales"The public are at the heart of research in Wales and public involvement is instrumental in making sure research is responsive to the needs and interests of those it aims to serve, and that it leads to better health and social care outcomes for all.
"We are so proud to be part of this collaborative which really drives forward excellence in public involvement. We look forward to continuing to build on this commitment by working together developing our research and processes - using real-life experiences to help shape truly meaningful research.