Last month our Director of Policy Juliet Tizzard set out our commitment to supporting robust public involvement in COVID-19 research, and why we think it’s so important. We strongly encourage all applicants for HRA approvals to involve people with relevant lived experience in the design, conduct, and dissemination of their studies.
Thousands of
patients, carers, service users, and other members of the public around the UK
have adapted to working rapidly and remotely, and are keen to contribute to
COVID-19.
However, we know that some research teams don’t already have connections with public involvement groups, networks, or individuals, and might not feel they have enough time to find the right people to work with. We have links with public involvement groups across the country, and we can help to connect you with them.
If you are applying for fast-track review for a COVID-19 research study, you can now request support from our Public Involvement matching service.
Our Public Involvement Team will contact you to help decide who the most suitable people are to involve in your research, what it will be most useful for them to do, and how quickly you need their input. Then they’ll put you in touch with people who coordinate public involvement groups that are a good fit for your research.
Email fast.track@hra.nhs.uk for further information.