Since 1991 the NHS has
been running a programme of Research & Development (R&D).
This aims to provide decision-makers in the NHS with reliable and
relevant information, which is based on research.
The NHS R&D strategy is committed to involving
members of the public in the work it undertakes - not as "subjects" of
research, but as active participants. Members of the public have
already played an important role in some areas of R&D in the
NHS, but there is room for improvement.
Recognising this, the Central Research & Development
Committee (which advises the Director of R&D) set up a unique
group to advise them on how best to involve members of the public
in the R&D process. This group, which met for the first time
in 1996, was originally called: Consumers in NHS Research. In 2001 the Group widened its remit to cover public health and social care research commissioned by the Policy Research Programme of the Department of Health. In July
2003, the group changed its name to:' INVOLVE - promoting public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research' to better reflect its extended remit.
