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Do you want to be part of an exciting national programme to improve how health data is used for public good?

Are you interested in shaping how researchers safely use NHS data to improve health and care?

Would you like to help improve NHS and care services?

If yes, we want to work with you.

We are recruiting an additional 10 members to our NHS Kent, Medway and Sussex (KMS) Public and Patient Advisory Group, which comprises of patients, carers and the public who have an interest in the use of data, and bring their advice and support to the programme.

We welcome applications from residents in Kent, Medway and Sussex who are aged over 18 years.

Public members will receive expenses and, in certain circumstances, recognition payments of £25. Full training and support will also be offered.

You can learn more about the role by joining the upcoming online drop-in session:

• Wednesday, 6 August  6pm to 6.30pm.

Contact the team to sign up to a session:  scwcsu.kmssde@nhs.net

The Public and Patient Advisory Group and its impact

The Kent, Medway and Sussex Public and Patient Advisory Group was launched in July 2024 and is a diverse group of people with lived experience of physical and mental health conditions.

It includes members who are less digitally able, people from ethnically diverse communities, and members of the Trans Non-Binary and Intersex communities. As a group, it embeds insight from people and communities to drive the programme in Kent, Medway and Sussex, with an emphasis on collaboration and co-production.

The group has so far shaped:

• The working with people and communities plan for the programme
• commercial, and value of data model for the SDE
• public involvement approach for the Data Access Committee (DAC)
• communications about the DAC, and governance access requirements.

The group embeds insight from people and communities to drive the programme with an emphasis on collaboration and co-production.

Katherine Verrall, Chair of the KMS SDE Public and Patient Advisory Group, said: "The KMS SDE Advisory Group is the ideal forum to shape, inform and influence how all our data is used for public benefit.

We sit at the very heart of information governance, so our views, perspectives and opinions are clearly heard. Our open communication style enables dialogue that is both diverse and expert in nature - ultimately enhancing decision-making.

An innovative, valuable and most important advisory group that places people and communities at its inclusive and welcoming core."

What is the Secure Data Environment?

The Kent, Medway and Sussex Secure Data Environment (SDE) is a digital platform that gives approved researchers secure access to de-personalised data - information that can't identify individuals - for public benefit.

This data can help to:

• improve health and care services
• develop new treatments
• plan future health and care.

Ready to apply?

Please note applications have now closed.