Public Involvement

The people who use NHS services provide vital input into the work of the HTA programme. HTA research must address the questions that are important to those who use NHS services, and to ensure that it does this the HTA programme actively involves members of the public throughout the research process. It has been actively involving members of the public since 1997. These pages explain how you can become involved with our work.

In December 2009, over 100,000 people were involved in HTA research as participants. Research suggests that of the studies funded by the HTA programme since 2002, 83 per cent of HTA investigators have involved patients and members of the public in their projects in other ways, through helping to identify topics for research, sitting on advisory panels and commenting on research proposals.

The HTA programme has made progress in its work with members of the public in a number of ways, including: evaluating public involvement in the programme; developing guidance for researchers; developing guidance for those commenting on research; planning public involvement in HTA research; and by working closely together with INVOLVE, the organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting active public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research.

The HTA programme encourages applicants to consider whether the scientific quality, feasibility, or practicality of the proposal can be improved by patient and public involvement. To view patient and public involvement for researchers section click here.