For the month of October RCSI is taking part in the National PPI Festival 2023, a nationwide celebration of public and patient voices in health and social care research. As a lead university in the PPI Ignite Network, RCSI is committed to advancing the crucial role of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in health research.

The National PPI Festival 2023 is a collaborative effort involving universities, patient organisations, public agencies and charities across Ireland. Its primary goal is to shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of patients and the public to research.

RCSI hosted the annual meeting of the PPI Ignite Public Advisory Board, which took place on 10 October. The meeting brings the voice of the patients and public to guide the strategic development of the PPI Ignite Network. 

“The Network’s Public Advisory Board is evidence of the growing strength of the public voice in research in Ireland, bringing creative and innovative perspectives to guide the future direction of relationships between researchers and the public,” said Deirdre MacLoughlin, a member of the Board.

Throughout October, there will be further engaging and informative events taking place across RCSI and the Rotunda Hospital including:

• World Thrombosis Day at the Rotunda Hospital: This event will celebrate PPI progress to date in the field of thrombosis and showcase the impact that PPI can have on the prevention and awareness of blood clots.
• Introduction to engaged research workshop: This workshop will explore engaged research and PPI principles and terminologies, as well as how to map stakeholders for engagement across a research life cycle. Activities will assist participants in identifying opportunities for integrating engaged research and PPI in their work.
• GDM-CARE – Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Assessment in the Irish Infant Population: A focus group of patients who have experienced GDM will be hosted at the Rotunda Hospital to help refine the research question of the GDM-CARE project to ensure it resonates with their concerns and experiences.
• Ignite insight – sharing experiences of PPI: This event aims to bring early-stage researchers including undergraduate, master's and PhD students as well as early-stage post-doctoral researchers together to discuss PPI experiences and share knowledge.
• PPI for neurodiverse/neurocurious researchers: This workshop will bring together researchers from academic, charity, and other research-performing organisations to explore challenges and opportunities for neurodiverse researchers who are including PPI as part of their work.
• Stroke Session with iPASTAR (Improving Pathways for Acute Stroke and Rehabilitation): The Your Voice Matters event will bring together the iPASTAR community and hear from the patient voice. Featuring guest speakers from the Irish Heart Foundation and the National Stroke Programme.

A key action

Dr Michelle Flood, Senior Lecturer, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences and RCSI PPI Ignite Lead, commented: “As a university focused solely on health sciences, we recognise the huge value of the expertise of patients and the public in improving research and healthcare. Enhancing PPI in research and education is a key action within our new strategy and our active involvement in the National PPI Festival 2023 underscores this commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration where patients and the public play an important role in shaping the future of healthcare research.”

The HRB PPI Ignite Network is a collaboration between seven Irish universities and a total of over 60 partner organisations, including patient organisations, participating at both national and local levels. It is funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) and the Irish Research Council (IRC), with co-funding from each of the lead universities.

RCSI is one of seven PPI Ignite Network sites, coordinated by the University of Galway and including TCD, UCC, DCU, UCD and UL. Through the network, RCSI is building its internal PPI capacity and developing innovative new PPI programmes both locally and across the network.

To explore the events taking place for the festival and to register, visit the PPI Ignite website.