Policy for Public and Patient Involvement in Health and Social Care Research

Policy for Public and Patient Involvement in Health and Social Care Research

1.    Purpose

The National College of Ireland recognises that public and patient involvement can be an integral part of conducting robust and ethical research, especially in health and social care. 

This policy establishes the principles and requirements governing patient and public involvement (PPI) in health and social care research conducted at National College of Ireland. It supports NCI's commitment to robust, ethical research and reflects the HSE Research & Development PPI framework / national PPI standards.

2.    Scope

This policy applies to all NCI Staff who are conducting research in health and social care. This policy applies to all research, which involves direct collaboration with patients or members of the public.

3.    Definitions

• Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) refers to the active collaboration between researchers and individuals with lived experiences, patients, carers, service users, and members of the public, throughout the research process. This partnership encompasses the planning, design, execution, and dissemination phases of research, ensuring that studies are conducted with or by the public, rather than to, about, or for them.

This approach acknowledges the unique insights and expertise that individuals bring from their personal experiences, which can enhance the relevance, quality, and impact of research. PPI is distinct from:

• Participation: where individuals are subjects in a study.
• Engagement: where information about research is shared with the public (HSE Research & Development, 2025).

• Health and Social Care Research In this policy, Health and Social Care Research refers to the practice of generating new, useful and transferable knowledge in health and social care using the methods and tools of science.

   

• Researchers The term researcher refers to any NCI staff member who is leading health and social care research.

4.    Policy Statement

NCI requires researchers conducting health and social care research to consider patient and public involvement where their work would benefit from it.

Where researchers undertake PPI, the following requirements apply:

• Researchers must conduct PPI in accordance with NCI's research ethics and research integrity requirements.
• Researchers must uphold the seven principles of Patient and Public Involvement set out below.
• Researchers must consider equality, diversity and inclusion when involving patients and the public.

4.1.    Principles of Public and Patient Involvement

HSE Research and Development, has identified seven core principles to support meaningful PPI in research. NCI researchers are required to uphold these principles when planning or engaging in PPI activities:

1. Transparency

   Clear, open, mutual communication between the research team and PPI partners about research decisions and progress, with a shared understanding of aims, roles, processes, and terms of involvement.

2. Respect

   Recognition of the roles, knowledge, insights, experiences, strengths, limitations, and contributions of all involved across the research lifecycle.

3. Empowerment & Power Sharing

   Inclusion as early as possible in funding decisions, strategy, and research design, using a wide range of involvement strategies to support co-design and co-production.

4. Trust

   Building reciprocal trust through consistent relationship-based engagement, ensuring all voices are heard and confidentiality is negotiated and respected.

5. Collaboration & Partnership

   Inclusion of PPI partners throughout the research lifecycle, with commitments and expectations agreed as early as possible, and all contributions valued equally.

6. Equity & Inclusion

   Active identification and removal of barriers to involvement, creating entry points across the research lifecycle, and valuing the diversity of opinions, experiences, abilities, backgrounds, and expertise.

7. Flexibility

   Recognition of the time and other commitments involved in PPI, with appropriate adjustments and co-designed responses based on contributors’ experiences and views.

These principles aim to support a consistent and shared approach to PPI across the research community.

5.    Related Documentation

• Academic Integrity Policy
• Research Ethics Policy
• HSE Research and Development Guide No. 8: Patient and Public Involvement in HSE Research
• HSE Research and Development Guide No. 8a: Costing and Budgeting for Patient and Public Involvement in Health Research (hseresearch.ie)
• HSE Research & Development — Patient and Public Involvement in Research
• The PPI Ignite Network funded by the Health Research Board and Irish Research Council, a partnership between seven universities and national partners including IPPOSI, Research Charities Ireland, and HSE.
• PPI Ignite at UCD - PPI Costing Tool

6.    Version Control

• Policy for Public and Patient Involvement in Health and Social Care Research.pdf300 KB