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North East and North Cumbria PRAs brought together through google group

Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria is making it easier for Patient Research Ambassadors (PRAs) to work and learn together. We have developed a PRA google group to ease the distance and barriers of our vast region. This will provide the opportunity for PRAs to email each other, rather than waiting until they see each other at meetings, meaning information can be shared in a more timely manner and allow the group to be in contact whatever their location in the region. 

The group was created following feedback from a PRA Forum where our PRAs told us exactly what they wanted, for a way to share with each other what is happening.

Members of the group are able to share news, information and opportunities for getting involved in research. The group will also be used to send details of future Patient Research Ambassador meetings and to circulate events and opportunities that might be of interest to members. 

The group currently has seven members who are PRAs and it will continue to grow as the PRA network in the North East and North Cumbria further develops. 

Helen Atkinson, Involvement and Engagement Manager said: “I am passionate about creating better ways for our patient research ambassadors to communicate across the region and this group is the first step to ensure we can share information in a timely way”

“I’d like to add my personal thanks to the PRA Coordinator for the region to ensure the patient voice is at the heart of everything we do.” 

The PRA Coordinator for the North East and North Cumbria said: “For personal as well as altruistic reasons, I too, am passionate about health research. 

“I had been invited to work as a PRA in my local NHS Trust a few years ago, however it was difficult to get more involved amongst the different research platforms. After I had a meeting with staff at the CRN NENC, we started our own regional PRA group. The extra encouragement and added benefits of working together have already been immense. I feel that we will now have much more strength to support and learn from one another. 

“The Google group is one of those added strengthening strings in the bow.”

Find out more about Patient Research Ambassadors

Or email nenccommunications@nihr.ac.uk for more information about becoming a Patient Research Ambassador in the North East and North Cumbria.