The Statement on Consumer and Community Participation in Health and Medical Research has been developed jointly by the Consumers’ Health Forum of Australia (CHF) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). It provides the key to developing stronger partnerships between consumers and researchers at all levels of health and medical research, according to CHF Executive Director, Helen Hopkins.
On behalf of Senator Kay Patterson, Minister for Health and Ageing, Ms Teresa Gambaro MP, Member for Petrie will launch the Statement in Brisbane tomorrow.
Chief Executive Officer of the NHMRC, Professor Alan Pettigrew, said that the primary purpose of the Statement is to encourage researchers to involve the community to a greater degree. An involved community, he said, is likely to be better informed, recognise the value of research and have a greater understanding of research strategies.
Ms Hopkins said research was a very powerful tool and those who controlled it had a great influence over the health care systems and a profound effect on the lives of all health consumers and their families. Health consumers believed that those most affected by these issues should be involved with its ongoing development.
"This partnership will mean a community that is more aware of current health research activities," Ms Hopkins said.
In 2000, the NHMRC agreed to fund the CHF's proposal to develop the Statement. The project was conducted as a partnership between consumers and researchers, who were represented on the Reference Group for the project, responded to the consultation paper and participated in roundtable discussions.
"Health consumers have a great deal to offer and many researchers agree that the methods and results that are open to informed public scrutiny and debate ensure integrity and accountability," added Professor Pettigrew.
A copy of The Statement on Consumer and Community Participation in Health and Medical Research is available for download.
ATTENTION: HEALTH AND MEDICAL WRITERS/ CHIEFS OF STAFF
The Member for Petrie, Ms Teresa Gambaro will launch the Statement on Consumer and Community Participation in Health and Medical Research on behalf of the Minister for Health and Ageing Senator Kay Patterson on Friday 25 October, at the Novotel Brisbane Hotel, 200 Creek Street, Brisbane at 11am.