About Us

Sheffield Emergency Care Forum (SECF) is an independent Patient and Public Involvement group helping to bring patient and public perspectives into urgent and emergency care research.

SECF was established in 2010 with encouragement from researchers at the University of Sheffield’s School of Health and Related Research. Founding members had previously been involved with the Sheffield Community Health Council, Sheffield Patient Forum and Local Involvement Networks.

We aim to give patients and the public a voice in high-quality research projects, including multi-site studies across the UK. We are a lay, independent group guided by NIHR standards for public involvement. Our work is not limited to a particular disease or condition.

The group includes lay members from many walks of life, medical students and representatives with ambulance-service experience. We seek to be as diverse as possible and welcome people from different backgrounds and communities.

What we do

SECF works with researchers from Sheffield and elsewhere, including urgent and emergency care research teams. We help make research accessible and relevant to patients and the public throughout the research process.

Members may take part in steering groups and management groups, contribute as co-applicants, and review material intended for patients and the public.

Our aims

• Suggest and help prioritise research that could improve patient care.
• Comment on applications for research funding.
• Provide patient and carer perspectives on urgent and emergency care research.
• Contribute to steering groups, management groups and research teams.
• Discuss ethical issues that may affect patients.
• Review patient information sheets, consent forms, questionnaires and lay summaries.
• Comment on research strategy and progress.
• Help raise awareness of research among staff and the public.
• Develop links with related PPI groups and patient organisations.
• Advise on sharing research findings with the public.

We focus on pre-hospital, urgent and emergency care research, while supporting other projects when possible. Our members contribute by email, in online meetings and at in-person study meetings. The group normally meets quarterly to discuss ongoing studies, hear new proposals and receive presentations from researchers and others involved in urgent and emergency care.