Children and Families
Children and families are at the centre of what we do. As a patient, parent/carer or as a member of the public you can help research. You can participate in a clinical or other well designed study. You can give your views. You can actively get involved with us to help shape research. We are keen to hear and learn from you.
We are committed to the Department of Health’s national strategy which puts patients at the centre of all NHS related activity. To ensure that ‘patient benefit’ is not simply based on the views and options of research professionals and clinicians, the national strategy highlights the importance of involving patients, carers and the public at all stages of the research process. High quality research, good recruitment and attrition rates, and improved health outcomes for children, depend on listening to the voices of children and young people, as well as their families and carers, and taking account of their experiences, priorities and perspectives. All stages of the research process benefit from consultation with users, and we are adamant that children can make real contributions to decision-making in these areas.
Children, families and members of the public can be involved:
- As patients/participants voluntarily taking part in clinical or other well designed studies
- As patients and public members working with researcher professionals and clinicians (e.g. doctors, nurses) and getting actively involved in the different stages of research and related activities
