Would you like to be involved in designing a research study to better understand multiple long-term health conditions and may improve how health care systems work for them?

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a range of people to talk to us including those who have:

• Two or more long-term health conditions (that is any condition that you need to treatment or medical care for, such as diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, depression)
• Experience of attending hospital appointments or being admitted to hospital for their long-term conditions
• Carers of people with multiple long-term conditions

How can I influence this research?

This research is in the early stages of development. We want to involve patients with multiple long-term health conditions and their carers, so they can help shape of the research we do and help us develop the research proposal. The research findings can be used to give evidence that is needed when making any change in health care systems such as the NHS.

What is *ADMISSION?

This is the name of a new research study looking to transform care for patients with two or more long-term health conditions admitted to hospital in the NHS. A number of research organisations in the UK will work to deliver the research (Newcastle University, University of Birmingham, University College London and Manchester Metropolitan University). When patients with multiple long-term health conditions are admitted to hospital they often experience a complicated and prolonged journey through the hospital system. The first step in improving how we care for these people is to get a better understanding of what causes people to have multiple conditions, how these conditions tend to group together, how these patients are treated as they move from hospital admission to discharge and what impact things like lifestyle may have.

How can I be involved?

We are hosting three separate ‘virtual’ discussions to tell you about the research and ask about your experiences using health care systems. You can take part in one, two or all three sessions;

• Tues 7th July 4.00pm – 5.00pm - A session focused on helping us set the research agenda and what is important to you
• Fri 17th July 10.00am – 11.00am - A session on helping us design the research and how we will use patient data
• Tues 28th July 5.30pm – 6.30pm - Reflections on the first two meetings and your advice on how we can include public engagement throughout the research

Access to a computer, tablet or telephone and Zoom will be required. If you have not used Zoom before we can arrange to support you testing the system before the meetings. Zoom is a video/ teleconferencing tool which allows audio and visual communication via people using computers, tablets or smartphones. Alternatively you can dial into the meeting but this may incur a cost.

To allow quality discussion and manage the sessions we are limiting attendees to 10 to 15 people at each session. We hope there will be other chances to get involved as the research progresses.

How will I be supported to get involved?

You do not need to have taken part in research before and we would be happy to help you with support to be able to be part of the sessions:

• We will have one person as your point-of-contact for any support you need.
• You will receive a £10 digital Love2Shop voucher for each session in recognition of your time. This can be exchanged in many high street stores and their online shops.

How to register your interest/find out more?

You can register your interest is attending one or more of these sessions and learn more about the research using this link

If you have any questions or technical difficulties completing the registration form please contact Kasia (said like Casha) Kurowska, Involvement Manager, NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07544378220

We expect interest to be high to get involved, so Kasia will contact you to confirm whether you have been allocated a space at the sessions. This will include joining instructions for the sessions.

Deadline: Please register interest to attend by Monday 6th July at 5.00pm