SHARED COMMITMENT TO
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE RESEARCH
The International Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Network’s aim is to work together to build a world where PPI is an integral part of health and social care research. We have joined other health and social care research organisations to sign up to the Shared Commitment to Public Involvement in Health and Social Care Research. The Shared Commitment aims to bring about changes that will improve the practice of PPI in health and social care research.
In signing this commitment, the International PPI Network acknowledges that the practice of involvement varies across the world, in other countries, settings, and healthcare and research systems. This statement of support (see below) refers to the UK Standards for Public Involvement. The Network recognises that other countries and regions will also have standards and guidance on good PPI practice. We will work to identify and promote national and international standards, guidance and good practice on PPI from across the world.
"We are excited to sign this commitment to improving public involvement, and to learn from and collaborate with other health and social care research organisations. Involvement in research is a rapidly growing international movement and this commitment is a crucial part of our work to build partnerships across the world to bring about the change we hope to see.”
Richard Morley, Chair of the International PPI Network Planning Group
"I am delighted that the International PPI Network has joined the Shared Commitment to Public Involvement, further boosting this collaboration and also bringing a welcome international dimension."
Jeremy Taylor OBE, Director of Public Voice, National Institute of Health and Care Research
The statement, signed by leaders at each organisation, reads:
"Public involvement is important, expected and possible in all types of health and social care research.
Together our organisations and members fund, support and regulate health and social care research. This statement is our joint commitment to improve the extent and quality of public involvement across the sector so that it is consistently excellent.
People have the right to be involved in all health and social care research. Excellent public involvement is an essential part of health and social care research and has been shown to improve its quality and impact. People’s lived experiences should be a key driver for health and social care research.
When we talk about public involvement, we mean all the ways in which the research community works together with people including patients, carers, advocates, service users, and members of the community. Excellent public involvement is inclusive, values all contributions, ensures people have a meaningful say in what happens and influences outcomes, as set out in the UK Standards for Public Involvement.
Working together we will support the research community to carry out excellent public involvement.  We will provide or share guidance, policies, systems, and incentives. We will:
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listen to and learn from the people and communities we involve and apply and share that learning
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build and share the evidence of how to involve the public and the impact this has
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support improvements in equality, diversity, and inclusion in public involvement
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promote the UK Standards for Public Involvement
We will embed this commitment into the decision-making processes of our organisations."
You can find more from each of the signatories – and what they will do - by clicking on the links below: