On 30 October, NHS Research Scotland organised its seventh NHS Research Scotland Annual Conference in Perth. The event brought together delegates across NHS, academia, industry and third sector under the theme “The impact of research then, now and in the future”.

This year, organisers celebrate 70 years of the NHS. Through a series of plenary and parallel sessions, panel discussions, speed presentations, posters and exhibitor opportunities the NHS Research Scotland Conference celebrated the strength of Scotland’s research environment. 

During the great exhibition and networking time, Sarah Gregory (UEDIN) alongside two participant panel members, presented an EPAD Research Participant Panel poster. The EPAD members are committed to involving actual and potential research participants as much as possible in the development of the project, empowering everyone to play an active role in their progress. Two EPAD research participants attended the NHS Research Scotland Annual Conference and were authors of the EPAD poster as well.

The poster emphasized the panel as a valuable source of information in addressing crucial aspects of participant experience, retention of participants and as an avenue for a meaningful engagement for participants. During the facilitated session the group presented the set up and design of the Edinburgh panel established in March 2017 in Edinburgh. The group also reported its roles, responsibilities and gave some concrete examples of panel involvement in EPAD activities.