Mersey Care is committed to involving service users and carers in our research and innovation. Below are some of the examples of how we are doing this.
Participation in trials and studies
Without the involvement of service users in trials and studies, we will not be able to improve treatments. We are working hard to increase the involvement of our service users in research through Count Me In. This system means that service users are automatically opted in to hear about research opportunities that are relevant to them, unless they choose to opt out.
Patient and public involvement and engagement
Mersey Care has a patient and public involvement and engagement team which supports the Research and Innovation team with the involvement of service users and carers in research activities.
The Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC) also has a dedicated patient and public involvement and engagement team who have put the voice of service users and carers at the heart of its work. There are 10 service user and carer representatives who work within different M-RIC research teams providing invaluable insight and feedback on projects from their concept to completion. We also have over 30 public advisors who attend regular workshops, meetings and events to provide their input on a range of M-RIC research activities.
M-RIC Youth Voices Research Group
M-RIC’s research advisory group, M-RIC Youth Voices, is for young people aged 11-25 living in Cheshire and Merseyside. Group members take part in exciting projects that will help improve future mental health support and care for young people. By taking part, they get the chance to meet new people, learn about new technologies and innovations and have their voice listened to.