19th July 2022

Call for practitioners to help direct research of the future

Ahead of the launch of the Wales-wide Research Funding Scheme and the Research for Patient and Public Benefit Wales Programme, which usually funds approximately £3m of research each year, Health and Care Research Wales is calling for NHS practitioners from across the country to help decide which life-changing research questions are most important.

As part of the funding call, all applications must be reviewed by the All Wales Prioritisation Panel (AWPP) a large and virtual panel consisting of public and practice assessors.

What is the role of an All Wales Prioritisation Panel member?

Assessors are asked to review the importance of the proposed research to patients, the public and policy makers and use their knowledge and experience as practitioners on the front line to provide feedback.

Key responsibilities

Members of the panel will review from one – 10 research submissions and provide written feedback, digitally on the most appropriate research questions to progress. The research submissions are short, usually around 10 pages.

Who are we looking for?

Interested practitioners will need to have at least four years’ experience and currently work within the NHS in Wales. We welcome expressions of interest from those working in all aspects of the NHS from a range of backgrounds, levels of experience and seniority, and particularly the following professionals: Paediatricians, respiratory physicians, oncologists, critical care, General Practitioners, surgeons. A diverse panel will provide a voice to those who this investment will affect.

Previous funding calls have enabled life changing research into a new cost-effective test for lung cancer patients, managing chronic eye disease in primary care and the use of antibiotics for 999 patients with severe sepsis to name a few.

Professor in Public Health and Psychiatry at the Swansea University Medical School, Ann John sat on the All Wales Prioritisation Panel in 2019. She said:

I decided to sit on the panel as I wanted a say in where this public money is spent to help people across Wales. There’s obviously a limited pot so it’s important to have a diverse panel of people from all areas of expertise giving advice.

I can remember seeing a study I fed back on about people with learning disabilities being reported and it was such a good feeling to know I had a small part on making that research happen – which will hopefully influence change and improve lives.

Michael Bowdery, Head of Programmes at Health and Care Research Wales, said:

The AWPP is an ever-growing virtual panel who undertake remote reviews of applications, their feedback is essential in making sure we’re investing in the most appropriate research that will have a meaningful impact.

How to apply?

To register your interest, please complete this online form or for questions email Wales@soton.ac.uk. Deadline for applications are 15 August.