Patients & the public

At the Cicely Saunders Institute, we integrate patient and public involvement (PPI) throughout our research, education, and clinical care. Our shared ambition is to improve the relevance, quality, and impact of our work, ensuring we continuously respond to the needs and priorities of patients, carers, and their families affected by life-limiting illnesses. Through working with people of all ages (from childhood to adulthood) who use health and social care services, we can best understand what is important and how our work could improve people’s experiences of care, treatment, and the services they receive.

Please join our Public Involvement Forum to share your ideas about improving palliative care or rehabilitation research.

Our principles

Respectful involvement that includes collaboration from an early research idea to sharing the results, accessible and responsive communication, support and learning, reflection and active listening, and opportunities for co-production
Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive involvement of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to reflect our local, national and international communities and the populations which palliative care, rehabilitation serve
Flexible involvement that adapts to the needs of people living in complex and unpredictable circumstances, and to diverse project requirements

Parents, children, and young people

At the Cicely Saunders Institute, we pioneer the very best in PPI with parents, children, and young people. This enables us to be sensitive to their specific needs and ensure meaningful involvement for all. Resources on best practice when working with parents, children, and young people can be found below. Thank you to all the parents, children, young people, and professionals who have contributed to these projects. Resources for including CYP in research

Meet the Team

Dr Sarah Crabtree

Research Associate & Public Involvement Coordinator, Cicely Saunders Institute
Professor Catherine Evans

Interim Director of Cicely Saunders Institute and Professor of Palliative Care
Rashmi Kumar

PPI representative
Alan Quarterman

PPI representative
Pam Smith

PPI representative
Marion Sumerfield

PPI representative
Beka Torlay

Research Administrator