Shape how the Centre improves emergency care

The new NIHR HealthTech Research Centre helps companies developing health technologies turn ideas into better emergency care by identifying the best way to use them in the NHS and testing the benefit to patients.

The Centre brings patients, the public and researchers together with these companies to make sure new ideas meet people’s needs. By working together, we can create more useful tools that can be used more quickly.

We’re setting up an Advisory Group to help the Centre shape how patients and members of the public are involved in the development of new healthcare technologies. 

You can find more information about the NIHR HealthTech Centre in Emergency and Acute Care here.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for people with experience of emergency medical conditions and accessing emergency care as a patient, family member, or carer to join a new advisory group.

You will need to be happy to share your thoughts and ideas in a group setting, with support to do this. You don’t need any knowledge of research or medicine to take part.

Please note: the NIHR HealthTech Centre has a focus on addressing the needs of communities that experience inequalities. We encourage people with lived experience or understanding of barriers to accessing healthcare and/or technologies to reach out.

We’re committed to ensuring that people from a wide range of social and ethnic backgrounds and with different experiences have a say in research. We aim to make our opportunities as inclusive and accessible as possible.

Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to enable you to take part.

What are emergency medical conditions?

These are life-threatening conditions which need treatment as soon as possible. These include breathing issues, emergency heart failure, infections at home or in hospital (such as sepsis) and stroke.

Care for emergency conditions can start in different places, including your GP practice, calling 999 or 111, ambulance journeys or accident and emergency departments. You might be treated for emergency conditions at Intensive Care Units, Acute Wards, or at home with medical support.

What will the group do?

• Shape how the Centre involves patients and the public in developing new healthcare technologies.

• Give advice and oversee the progress of the Centre.

What to expect?

You will:

• Be part of a group of about 10 people, which will include researchers, Vocal staff and a representative from industry.

• Join 2–3 meetings per year (2 hours each, online or in person),

• Be supported by a dedicated member of staff.

• Get access to training and development opportunities.

We pay everyone who takes part in our activities, following our payment policy, which is in line with national guidelines. We’ll also cover pre-agreed reasonable expenses, such as travel and digital costs.

How to get involved

Click the ‘Get Involved’ button at the top or bottom of this page, or click here and fill in our form to register your interest.

If you’re interested in finding out more, get in touch by emailing Dan on daniel.taylor2@mft.nhs.uk

There is no obligation to take part if you decide this is not an opportunity for you.