The DIAMONDS Patient and Public Engagement panel DIAMONDS VOICE is a group of service users and family carers with experience of living with mental and physical health comorbidity facilitated by co-ordinator Angie Ross. 

We meet three to four times a year in the Bradford or Leeds area to provide input across all the studies in the DIAMONDS programme. Specifically, we aim to ensure that ongoing research addresses important questions for people living with comorbid SMI and long-term physical health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease.

As well as prioritising research questions, DIAMONDS VOICE advises on ways to minimise participant burden, the content and format of study documentation, the interpretation of findings, and the use of appropriate dissemination formats for patient and public audiences. Some panel members also engage in publicity to raise the profile of DIAMONDS through speaking at conferences, disseminating information through public sector networks, and co-authoring publications.

Here are some of the things our members have said about their involvement in DIAMONDS VOICE: ‘we feel more confident and positive’ ‘we feel involved, valued and empowered’ ‘so pleased I have joined the group!’ ‘we like to make a difference’. For more information on the work of DIAMONDS VOICE, or to express an interest in joining the group, please contact Angie Ross at ppihealthresearch@gmail.com 

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