Ask anyone working in Research and Development (R & D) in the National Health Service (NHS) in England for a simple explanation of the system which employs them, and the chances are they will have a struggle. Ask them how consumers can get involved in R & D which is funded by the NHS, and you are likely to receive many different, and sometimes conflicting answers. The structure of R & D in the NHS is complex and confusing to those outside it. It appears almost inaccessible, and sometimes irrelevant, to consumers (by consumers we mean users and potential users of NHS services; their carers; organizations representing consumer interests; and members of the public who are the targets of health promotion campaigns).
A new booklet is now being produced which aims to give a clear and accessible explanation of R & D in the NHS in England. The booklet explains what R & D is, why it is needed and what kind of R & D is funded by the NHS. It goes on to outline the different ways in which consumers can get actively involved in R & D. It explains how to find out about what's going on in research, as well as how to get involved in commissioning and undertaking research, and in interpreting and disseminating results. A list of contacts is included to help people obtain further information.
The booklet is being prepared by the Standing Advisory Group on Consumer Involvement in the NHS R & D Programme. This Group, which is part of the R & D structure in England, aims to ensure that consumer involvement in R & D in the NHS improves the way research is prioritized, commissioned, undertaken and disseminated. We believe that consumer involvement will result in research which is more relevant and more reliable.
We asked a range of consumers what they wanted to know about R & D in the NHS. The booklet is based on the questions they asked. We hope it will enable more consumers to become involved in R & D in the NHS. The booklet will be available early in 1999, and will be free of charge. We also plan to make a summary available in other languages.
Edited by Bob Gann