People living with long term health conditions are invited to share their experiences to help shape the future of healthcare research.

Keele University’s Impact Accelerator Unit, based in the School of Medicine, aims to speed up the process of translating research findings into NHS health and care services, to improve care and make a difference to people’s lives.

This involves working with members of the public of all ages and from all communities, to help develop ways for research to benefit health and care. The public play a key role in all areas of research, from planning new studies, to helping implement new treatments into NHS practice.

The work of the team at Keele has included developing an app to support patients with arm pain to exercise, advising on the content of a leaflet to support osteoarthritis patients, and developing BeeFree - a support website for people who have long term back and neck pain.

The team is now inviting people of all ages and community groups across the region to get involved, and is particularly keen to hear from people with gout and osteoporosis, low back pain, inflammatory arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal pain, anxiety and depression, amongst other conditions.

Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Project Coordinator Adele Higginbottom said: “Everyone of all ages and backgrounds is welcome to join our Research User Group. Living with a health condition gives you a wealth of expertise which is invaluable to help future research be meaningful and benefit patients.

“Our members say helping to design research has made them feel valued, helped with their confidence, and they have enjoyed the social aspect of being in a group of other people living and coping with the same conditions.”

Krysia Dziedzic, Director of the Impact Accelerator Unit and Professor of Musculoskeletal Therapies added: “We already have an amazing public group who work closely with researchers and health and care professions to make sure we’re translating research into practice. We want them to help support researchers and health and care professionals to offer equitable, evidence-based, person-centred care.”

For more information on how to get involved, email health.iau@keele.ac.uk.