Why should I get involved (have a say) in Imperial’s health research?
As a patient, carer, member of the public living in North West London (and especially those in the boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Westminster), you are central to telling us what your health priorities are and how our health research can be made more relevant or shaped in a way that is acceptable to you and those it will benefit. Also, as our research is taxpayer funded, as a taxpayer, you have a right to have a say in how we carry out our research.
How can I get involved in research?
Please sign up to the our mailing list to receive emails with opportunities to get involved in shaping and designing research, attend engagement events or hear about research. Alternatively, email us on publicinvolvement@imperial.ac.uk or call us on 0207 594 3464.
What does being “involved” in research mean?
“Involved”, in short, means having a say in how researchers design and shape their research so it meets the needs of the patients and communities affected by it. Examples are; giving your views on how important a research question is to patients, providing your views on how many times a patient could reasonably be expected to attend a research study appointment in light of the symptoms they live with – this will hopefully mean that the study is more successful.
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Does it matter where I live?
As the Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)’s geographical ‘patch’ covers the following boroughs of Northwest London: Brent, Ealing, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Westminster, most Imperial BRC public involvement in health research opportunities involve those who live, work, study or receive healthcare in these Northwest London boroughs. However, we do also have some opportunities for those who live outside these boroughs and across England to get involved in research, and public engagement opportunities.
Please note that those who work in health or social care are not considered to be the “public” for the purposes of public involvement in research however there are exceptions to this where someone is a patient living with a specific health condition and only brings this perspective to their involvement.
How do I take part in research (i.e. be studied)?
There are other ways to be involved in research apart from helping to shape or design it. One way is being a participant in a research study which could involve taking part in a clinical trial, giving blood for a research study, consenting for your health data to be used in a research project or giving an interview about the care you receive. Below are ways in which you can explore different studies in which you may wish to participate:
Imperial Health Knowledge Bank
If you are a patient at one of Imperial’s Hospitals: St Marys, Hammersmith, Charing Cross, Queen Charlotte’s and the Western Eye you can sign up to consent to your health records being used for research. For more information, please see here.
Be Part of Research
The Be Part of Research website helps people find and take part in health and care research and is now available through the NHS App in England.
Healthy Volunteers for Research Studies
If you are healthy, do not have a current health condition and are not being seen by an NHS doctor, you can still contribute to health research being undertaken at Imperial Health Care NHS Trust – follow this link to register your interest.
Contact us
For any other queries please contact us on public.involvement@imperial.ac.uk or phone 0207 594 9774,
If you are an Imperial BRC researcher and want:
- advice or support with public involvement, email us on publicinvolvement@imperial.ac.uk or call us on 0207 594 9774.
- to find out more about PERC’s research please email: patientexperience@imperial.ac.uk