Since the formation of the LAPBR in early 2009, the panel members have formed excellent 
relationships with each other and the staff of the Biomedical Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Disease. Meeting regularly at the Centre for Biomedical Research, the panel members review research proposals, advise on volunteer documentation, and suggest better ways for our investigators to share their research findings with the public.
The work of our panel has been recognised by INVOLVE, the national advisory group funded by the Department of Health, whose main task is to promote and support active public involvement in public health and social care research and development. An article written by one of our panel members to describe her experiences was published in INVOLVE’s 2010 summer newsletter, and our panel were invited to speak at the 2010 National Conference regarding a patient survey that they helped design and carry out at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital.
