DIAMONDS Voice.
Who we are.
The DIAMONDS Patient and Public Engagement panel DIAMONDS Voice is a group of service users and family carers with experience of living with mental and physical health comorbidity facilitated by co-ordinator Angie Ross.
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We meet three to four times a year in the Bradford or Leeds area to provide input across all the studies in the DIAMONDS programme.
Audio version of this page
How we contribute to the research.
Specifically, we aim to ensure that ongoing research addresses important questions for people living with comorbid SMI and long-term physical health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease.
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As well as prioritising research questions, DIAMONDS Voice advises on ways to minimise participant burden, the content and format of study documentation, the interpretation of findings, and the use of appropriate dissemination formats for patient and public audiences. Some panel members also engage in publicity to raise the profile of DIAMONDS through speaking at conferences, disseminating information through public sector networks, and co-authoring publications.
Personal experiences.
Sally Carling
" It’s rewarding to have the chance to influence and contribute to the collaboration of services and make improvements for future aspirations. Everyone can contribute at their own level . There is something for everyone to help with."
Gary Hellewell
"I feel really proud of what I have achieved and satisfied to be a part of the research, to watch how the projects have grown. I like being involved from the beginning of the project helping with the design and there is no pressure I can take part as I want."
Alison Potts
"I am glad that I became involved in research, as a carer I could discover approaches to care and what research is being carried out in mental health. Also share a lot of knowledge from my own experience with others."
Listen to Alison's full experience below
Paul Frazer
Listen to Paul's experience below
Keith Hardcastle
"I chose DIAMONDS as a way to find out what and if there is a link between mental health and diabetes."
Our DIAMONDS Voice payment policy.
At DIAMONDS, we work collaboratively whenever we can. The research team recognise how valuable contributions from the DIAMONDS Voice members are and that their time and expertise should be recognised accordingly.
In our DIAMONDS Voice payment policy we have agreed how members can claim back expenses and what other payments they will be eligible for based on the nature of their contribution.
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How to get involved.
Please contact Angela Ross: ppihealthresearch@gmail.com