![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs-staging.imperial.ac.uk\/fom\/files\/2017\/11\/pstrc.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
On the 23\u00a0November, the NIHR Imperial Patient Safety Translational Research Centre (PSTRC)<\/a> together with NHS Improvement<\/a> co-hosted the Fifth Annual NIHR Imperial PSTRC Symposium at the Royal Academy of Engineering. The exciting programme<\/a> included keynote speaker Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Health.<\/p>\n There was a clear theme throughout the day of patients, carers and the public being equal partners with researchers, healthcare professionals and policy-makers (who were all represented in the audience). Jono Broad, Patient Leader (Q Community<\/a>), did a truly inspiring talk about how care should be patient-centred and good leadership, culture, quality improvement, human factors and technological advancements are all essential elements to improve patient safety.<\/p>\n The panel on co-creation in research, service improvement and policy included Patient Experience Lead at NHS England, the Improvement Lead at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and patient and carer representatives: Sandra Jayacodi and Charity Gondwe, who are part of the PSTRC Research Partners Group. They discussed how communication was also a crucial aspect of safety and that going out to communities and through trust community leaders will help to encourage new people to be involved in research. Visit our website<\/a> for more information about how to be involved in patient safety research.<\/p>\n