Meet our new public members

Twelve members of the public join Wessex Research Hubs to play an active role in our work.

The new public members will play an active role in representing the views of the public in the work and priorities of Wessex Research Hubs, and help extend study recruitment into more diverse communities. Each of our four hubs - Southampton, Portsmouth, Weymouth and Bournemouth - has two representatives, helping ensure the views of local people are reflected.

Ian Dickerson will co-chair the new group. He said: "I've been involved in PPIEP (Patient and Public Involvement, Engagement and Participation) in the Wessex region for longer than I care to mention and it's been marvellous to see it evolve into a well-organised and professional structure. This is the next step in its evolution and I'm excited to be a part of it. Coming from a commercial background but also working within the NHS, I'm well aware of its challenges and I'm hoping that by co-chairing this group we can help more people be part of something life-changing, for that is what being part of research is."

Deputy-chair Kishor Patel has been a community leader in Basingstoke for more than twenty years. "I'm really interested in public participation and community involvement," he said. "I have a commercial background, I've lived abroad, and I am looking forward to merging this experience with my community work and helping explain to the communities I am involved with what it means to take part in health research."

Dr Patrick Moore, Director of NIHR Wessex CRDC, which runs Wessex Research Hubs, said: "Involving the public in our work is central to our vision. It's fantastic to know we have recruited diverse, energetic and dedicated people from across the region. We look forward to listening to their views as we continue to involve more people in commercial, clinical trials."