VOICE is delighted to announce our first VOICE collaboration of 2022 with the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Clinical Research Facility (CRF), MedTech and In-vitro Diagnostic Co-operative (MIC), the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. We are thrilled to have them on board and about the opportunity to continue to grow the VOICE community in the North of England.

Like all the NIHR infrastructure organisations in Leeds (CRF, MIC), the BRC is a partnership between the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. The research focus of the BRC is musculoskeletal conditions (affecting joints, bones, muscles and the spine). It is conducted under two research themes - optimal treatment and preventing disability in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) and improving the treatment of osteoarthritis.

The Surgical MIC supports the development and evaluation of medical technologies for colorectal, vascular, hepatopancreaticobiliary (liver, gall bladder and pancreas) and neurosurgery to improve healthcare and quality of life for patients.

Through our collaboration agreement, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) teams and researchers across the Trust and the University will have access to the range of digital tools the VOICE platform has to offer and VOICE members will now have the opportunity to get involved and contribute to the internationally renowned research carried out in Leeds.

Amy Rebane, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Manager, NIHR Leeds BRC said:

“The Leeds partnership is thrilled to be part of VOICE. We’re excited to be able to reach new audiences across the country to increase the representation of Public Partners in our Patient and Public, Involvement and Engagement activities, supporting our aim of creating inclusive research for all”

Dr Alexa Ruppertsberg, Head of Public Engagement with Research, University of Leeds said:  

"Having a shared gateway for the major health and social care research organisations in Leeds, we take an important step to make life simpler for citizens and lead to more uptake in people being involved in health and social care research. Across all involved organisations, it allows us to promote a single site across Leeds and all will benefit from this new opportunity." 

Alex Mitchell, VOICE Programme Manager, said:

“This fantastic new collaboration will provide many opportunities for our VOICE members to influence and shape the vital research and innovation being carried out in and around Leeds.  We can’t wait to see the VOICE community continue to grow with support of our new colleagues at the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust.”

Julie Corrigan , Leeds CRF (Leeds CRF) Operations Manager said :

"The Leeds CRF focuses on early phase research across many specialist areas including , but not restricted to : cardiovascular, cancer, children’s , dental & oral health, haematology and neurosciences and Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement is central to all that we do. Being able to engage with a wider PPIE community can only enhance the work already taking place to the benefit and well-being of our patients."