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Championing the role of carers in mental health research

The Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC) marked Carers Week by teaming up with the University of Liverpool’s DynAIRx team to host an event to celebrate the vital role of carers in research.

The event was held at the Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL) at Liverpool Science Park – home to both research teams. The aim was to bring researchers and carers together to share experiences, issues and insights. This will help researchers improve the design and delivery of research so it is inclusive of carers.

DynAIRx – short for Artificial Intelligence (AI) for dynamic prescribing optimisation and care integration in multimorbidity – is a research project which aims to develop new, easy to use, AI tools. It supports GPs and pharmacists to find patients living with two or more long-term health conditions who might be offered a better combination of medicines.

Researchers in both teams were inspired to host the event by retired GP David Shiers. He passionately shares his story of caring for his daughter, who became ill as a teenager. Now in her 40s, he discusses the whole family’s caring journey.

David spoke movingly at the event along with five other carer representatives from both teams. They were joined by Dr Alan Woodall, Clinical Lead GP for Integrated Care and Research and Powys Teaching Health Board, who works on both the DynAIRx and M-RIC programmes. He provided an overview of the work both groups are undertaking aimed at supporting both service users and carers.

The day concluded with a carers’ discussion panel. The panel was led by M-RIC Co-Lead Service User and Carer Representatives Hilary Tetlow and Terry Bryant,  Service User and Carer Representative Paula Booth as well DynAIRx Public Advisors Naheed Tahir and Alan Griffiths

Photo of Hilary Tetlow at the event

Hilary Tetlow said:

It was a very moving event as people shared their testimonies with an audience who also had caring experiences. It’s very important that we bring the voice of carers forward in research. They are the ones who are with the patient 24/7 and understand so much about their needs.

Dr Gail Faragher, M-RIC Public Engagement Research Co-ordinator added:

The discussions that took place raised many important issues from carers’ points of view. These included the need for carers’ experiences to be included in care design, the situation that young carers are in,  the need for more support for carers and importantly, acknowledging the burden of care on the carer.

Dr Rachael Wright, DynAIRx Project Manager commented:

At DynAIRx, we want to make digital tools that can work with carers, not around them. The meeting that took place at CHIL is a reminder than real impact starts with listening – to the everyday expertise of those who care.