A message from Patient and Public Involvement Lead at Bowel & Cancer Research, Lesley Booth, regarding the People and Research Together Programme:
“At Bowel Research UK, the health, well-being, and safety of our people, as well as our friends and supporters, is paramount. As the situation continues to develop, I thought it important to write to you and offer our reassurance that we are working to minimise the risks from Coronavirus.
In the coming months, it is inevitable that some PPI activity will be affected. We are aware that everyone is very worried about Coronavirus. The situation we face is unprecedented and is developing very quickly. We are continuing to monitor Government advice carefully.
What this means for our PPI work is that there will be no face-to-face meetings or focus groups. Where PPI is required, we will look at alternative ways of involving you, such as by teleconferencing or video conferencing. If researchers need support with surveys, questionnaires or reading over research plans and patient information sheets, I will let you know as per normal.
However, many researchers have now postponed their research projects due to the Coronavirus.
We are also aware that many of you will be worried about your own health risks and we have put together some useful resources for you:
Advice for people with Crohn’s or Colitis
Advice for helping your well-being
I would like to thank you for all your support this year-to-date, and I look forward to continuing to work with you in these challenging times. I hope you find the above links useful.
I hope you all keep safe and well.
Lesley Booth
