Two new Patient and Public Representatives join the CRN Kent, Surrey and Sussex Partnership Board
Clinical Research Network Kent, Surrey and Sussex (CRN KSS) has appointed two new Patient and Public Representatives to the Partnership Board. Carol Coleman and Dave Chuter will take up their post in September.
Carol Coleman said: “As a governor at Kent Community Health Foundation I have sat on the Research and Development Group for four years and have actively encouraged patient and public participation where I can. It is evident that patients and the public in general have a lot to offer to research projects but in the main do not know how best to do this, hopefully by becoming a member of the NIHR CRN KSS Partnership Board I can act as a conduit for this input.”
Dave Chuter said: “The reason I applied for this role is because I know how important it is to share our lived experiences and knowledge as a patient to help improve the experiences and treatment for other patients. We need to help researchers understand what is important to patients on trials and my voice is just one of the combined patient voices that I can bring to the Partnership Board. To be welcomed and heard at the highest level possible is fantastic. This is the way forward with the patient and public being involved, being asked, giving input and being heard from the top to the bottom about research, treatment and experiences. I feel this is a natural extension of my Patient Champion roles and my governor role as chair of the Patient Experience Committee at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust.
Dr Joanne Zamani, Chief Operating Officer of CRN KSS said: “I am delighted to welcome Carol and Dave to the Partnership Board. Their experience of the NHS and research will be immensely valuable in being the voice of our local patient population. We look forward to working with them.
“I would like to say a big thank you to Gillian Fletcher and Brent Murray, who are stepping down from the board, for their contribution to the work of CRN KSS over many years. Their insight and advice on patient and public involvement activity has been greatly appreciated and I wish them well.”
