Embedding patient and public involvement within research – How to set up a research patient ambassador group within a NHS trust

Patient and public involvement in clinical research is vital to ensure the correct research questions are being asked to address patient and public’s needs. Patient and public involvement groups can be set up within individual research departments and local NHS trusts to help guide researchers, but there is a lack of guidance on how to develop and implement patient and public involvement groups. In this paper, we discuss the vital role and benefits of patient and public involvement in clinical research. We also describe how a research patient ambassador group called the Clinical Research Ambassador Group was created at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust to offer some advice and guidance for researchers and clinicians wishing to form their own group within a NHS trust.