The University of Manchester Primary Care Group and the NIHR School for Primary Care Research strives to involve both patients and the public in its research.
A Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group was set up in Manchester in October 2008, aiming to involve the public at an early stage in all research and to maintain and develop this relationship.
The group is called PRIMER, standing for Primary Care Research in Manchester Engagement Resource. The group works with researchers to ensure there is adequate patient and public involvement in research and to assist in the design and carrying out of research projects.
More information here - http://www.population-health.manchester.ac.uk/primer/
Initial recruitment of members was through the North West Users Research Advisory Group, with a good response. The group now meets on a six-weekly basis, with the following aims and objectives:
Aims of PRIMER include...
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Acting as a resource for researchers
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Having input into research at an early stage
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Suggesting areas of work for future research
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Networking with other groups and using existing networks to talk about research and test out ideas
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Working with researchers to advise on best practice in PPI
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Contributing to project development and management
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Contributing to policy within The University of Manchester Primary Care Group and the NIHR School for Primary Care Research
Development of group members by:
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Allowing members of the group to develop both themselves and their areas of interest
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Developing skills and confidence in the group
The group has also developed a set of values to work to, and aims to:
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Adopt a non-bureaucratic way of working as a panel for dissemination
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Respect confidentiality within the group
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Be non-exclusive and adaptive to new members
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Be flexible
Aspirations:
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Increase the membership and diversity of PRIMER
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Encourage primary care research in the North West
Project involvement:
The Group has:
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advised on research projects, covering a range of health care topics and research designs
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organised and hosted the first NIHR School for Primary Care Research PPI forum away day
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provided named applicants on research bids and steering committees
Group Members:
There are two categories of member, ‘core’ and ‘corresponding’. Core members attend most meetings and engage fully in group activities; corresponding members are those who are unable to attend meetings on a regular basis but who are kept informed of group activities and participate in selected events according to their interests and availability.
David Britt (Chair), Elizabeth Key, May Griffiths, Brenda Smith, Suzy Bourke, Ailsa Donnelly, Tony Sargeant, Andy Bright, Tropez Martin, Julie Billsborough, Guy Fitzmaurice, Judith A Hogg.