Recently, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT) signed the Health Research Authority’s (HRA) Shared Commitment to Public Involvement in Health and Social Care Research, an initiative designed to raise standards and embed meaningful collaboration with patients, carers, and communities.

The Shared Commitment recognises that public involvement is not only possible but essential in all types of health and social care research. Evidence shows that involving people with lived experience improves research quality and impact. The statement affirms that everyone has the right to be involved and calls for inclusive approaches that value contributions and influence outcomes, in line with the UK Standards for Public Involvement.

By signing up, OHFT commits to supporting researchers to deliver excellent public involvement. This includes sharing guidance and resources, listening and learning from communities, building evidence of impact, and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. The pledge also emphasises embedding these principles into organisational decision-making.

Dr Karl Marlowe, OHFT Chief Medical Officer, said:

“Public involvement is not an optional extra in health research, it is fundamental. Through our membership of the HRA Shared Commitment, Oxford Health, as the NHS host of several NIHR grants, is strengthening its commitment to working in partnership with patients, carers and communities, recognising the vital role lived experience plays in improving the quality, relevance and societal benefit of research.”