Involving patients and the public in research

We strongly encourage the involvement of patients, their families and carers, as well as the public in research. We believe involving patient and the public makes our research more relevant, and can lead to treatments that better meet the needs of children and their families.

This information is aimed at researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) or the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH) and any staff member interested in carrying out research who wants to learn more about involving and engaging patients and the public with their research.

Through the work of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) GOSH Biomedical Research Centre, we provide support and advice to researchers including:

• One-to-one advice via email on involving patients and the public in your research and assistance with including and demonstrating this in grant applications.
• Involvement and engagement training events for researchers to build up skills in involving the general public in the research process. In collaboration with the NIHR University College London Hospitals BRC we have organised a series of free, practical training workshops which are open to GOS UCL ICH staff.
• Researchers can apply to attend our two existing research advisory groups in person or ask for written feedback on research ( patient information sheets, lay summaries, research design and protocol etc). The groups are managed and facilitated by the patient and public involvement Lead at GOSH/ICH. Please note preparation time is needed for this and to feedback to the group on changes they will make as a result of consulting the research advisory groups.

Contact our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Manager for research at GOS-ICH:

Email: research.ppi@gosh.nhs.uk