Patient Research Ambassadors: Providing patient leadership in NHS research?

2014 Conference

Abstract: From a modest start two years ago the Involvement4Access project has been gathering momentum which could see it become a major initiative for promoting patient leadership in research across the NHS. Its purpose is to help embed a patient-centred research culture in the NHS through promoting the establishment of Patient Research Ambassadors across local NHS services.

Patient Research Ambassadors are members of the public, patients and carers who help to ensure that others like themselves have the opportunity to participate in clinical research through their local NHS. This is entirely in line with the NHS Constitution.

The role of Patient Research Ambassador is not a new one. We have found that many of the patient groups who are actively involved in improving clinical research for patients are also passionate about people having a better opportunity to take part in research studies in their local NHS.

But across the NHS currently this activity is very patchy and there is potential to do much more to develop a patient centred research culture through patient leadership in the longer term. We have established an exciting strategic partnership between the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network, NHS England, and the NIHR Directorate for Public Participation and Engagement (and beyond) to help bring this about.

This presentation will discuss the approach and potential of this initiative. Participants will have time to consider and discuss the implications and possibilities of this kind of patient leadership.