Women & Children's Public Involvement Group

We value Public Involvement to help us to improve the care we provide

Our team does not just involve patients as Research/Trial participants. We are also committed to involving the public in every stage of a research project’s journey. From the development of an idea, through to the sharing of a project’s findings, we feel strongly that consistent involvement and engagement with our public partners in our research will result in high quality projects that are focussed on patients, and with outcomes that are important to them. We want to address real world healthcare challenges and improve care, but we can only do this by understanding and listening to a wide range of opinions and by ensuring we have a culture that encourages patient driven ideas.

We are always keen to expand our Public Involvement Group and have new members join us!

Who is this opportunity for?

Patients with experience of Obstetrics/Gynaecology/Maternity services or members of the public with an interest in improving Women & Children’s Health and Care through research. We also have project-specific groups whose members may have a particular condition or experience – please contact us and we can keep you up to date with any relevant projects.

How you can be involved.

The Research Unit will host face-to-face meetings, video chats or can discuss projects via phone or email, if you prefer. We like to encourage discussions with researchers about their project ideas and research approaches; we ask for help reviewing research summaries and other research documentation; and also want to hear your  general “lived experience” perspective to advise our research staff and clinicians on how best to deliver our projects. We can provide training to support your involvement in our projects, as required.

When?

The dates and times of all the meetings/activities will be agreed in advance and we will endeavour to give as much notice as we can. Timings will be varied and flexible to accommodate the group.

Where?

Face-to-face meetings are sometimes held in the Learning & Research centre at Southmead Hospital. However, we also like to choose the most suitable venue for the group that is meeting – these can be less formal and, for example, more child-friendly, if required.

If you are interested in being involved in our general and/or or a specific project’s Public Involvement Group, would like to register your interest, or would just like some more information please email us via wchresearch@nbt.nhs.uk.