Patient & Public Involvement and Engagement

Involving patients, carers and the public in research is an essential part of our work, helping us to identify the issues most important and relevant to those affected by cancer and its treatments.

What is PPIE and Why is it Important?

Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) is about ensuring that information and outcomes from research or research activities are disseminated and provided in the most suitable manner to patients and the public, so that they can be informed of our work. It also allows researchers to gain insights and input from patients and the public.

Patient and Public Involvement means that activities and research are carried out ‘with’ or ‘by’ members of the public or patients, rather than ‘to’, ‘about’ or ‘for’ them. Patients and members of the public are actively involvement in the development, running and management of research projects or activities. ​

  • Involvement is where members of the public are actively involved in research projects and in research organisations.
  • Engagement is where information and knowledge about research is provided and disseminated. Such as sharing findings of a study through media to raise awareness.

The involvement of patients and carers is vitally important in making sure our research activities are relevant to the people our research affects.  Involving patients and members of the public will help us become a trusted voice on complex issues and will be key in helping build a system that is worthy of their trust and confidence in using health data for research. It will also help develop the public’s understanding and has the potential to create ambassadors​.

   Key Links to Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Information

NIHR Involve

INVOLVE is a national advisory group that supports greater public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research. It provides guidelines and recommendations on best practises for patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) and information for patients and the public on taking part in research.

NIHR Research Champions

Research Champions are patients, carers, members of the public, people who have taken part in a research study before, as well as those who haven’t. Something that they all have in common is that they are passionate about getting more people involved in research so that we can develop better care and treatment for everyone.

NIHR 'I Want to Help With Research'

Information on the benefits from research and how you can contribute and get involved in research.

UCLH Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) ‘Get Involved In Our Research’

Information about getting involved in research associated with the UCLH Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and PPIE information.