Public Insight

All users of SAIL Databank will have access to present their research ideas to our Consumer Panel made up of members of the public. 

When assessing research proposals, Research Ethics Committees (REC) look favourably upon proposals which incorporate good quality public involvement at an early stage. This is evidence and reassurance to REC that the research being undertaken is ethically sound and in the public interest.

There can often be costs associated with assembling or sourcing a public panel to scrutinise research. Access to our Consumer Panel is free of charge as a SAIL Databank user.

The panel’s role includes;

• Acting as advisors on issues in research
• Advising on how best to engage with the public
• Offering guidance on how to recruit people to study steering groups
• Providing views on data protection issues
• Discussing proposals for research
• Reviewing information designed for a lay audience
• Acting as advocates for data linkage research 

Researchers who involve members the public run better studies because:

• they are more relevant to participants
• they are designed in a way which is acceptable to participants
• they have participant information which is understandable to participants
• they provide a better experience of research
• they have better communication of results to participants at the end of the study.

Source: hra.nhs.uk