The National Institute for Health Research was established as part of previous Government strategy. The government remains committed to establishing the NHS as an internationally recognised centre of research excellence focussed on the needs of patients and the public.

The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) is a UK partnership between Government, charity and industry promoting cooperation in cancer research among its 21 member organisations for the benefit of patients, the public and the scientific community.

The National Cancer Research Network (NCRN) was established in April 2001 by the Department of Health in England to improve the quality, speed and integration of cancer clinical trials to improve patient care.  The NCRN consists of 32 research networks providing the NHS infrastructure to support cancer clinical research and a Coordinating Centre.

The NCRI plays a strategic role in the development and oversight of the NCRN and both collaborate closely on a range of issues that impact on the quality and management of cancer research.  Through its Coordinating Centre, the NCRN manages, administers and supports a variety of initiatives on behalf of the NCRI including the NCRI Clinical Studies Groups (CSGs) and the NCRI Consumer Liaison Group (CLG).

The NCRI and NCRN believe that by working with consumers the quality of research can be enhanced for the benefit of patients and the public.

NCRI and NCRN define consumers as patients, relatives, carers and other members of the public affected by cancer. 

NCRI and NCRN key principles for working with consumers include:

• Working with consumers as partners in the research effort
• Involving consumers in developing strategy as well as specific initiatives and studies
• Listening to the consumer voice on research needs and the experience of participating in research
• Learning from experience to further develop and increase the impact of the consumer role in cancer research 

A key focus for the consumer involvement work of the NCRN and NCRI is the NCRI Consumer Liaison Group (CLG). In addition to the CLG, consumers are involved in a range of strategic projects and committees managed by the NCRI and NCRN.

Further information on these is available from the NCRN Consumer Liaison Lead: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The CLG operates to improve the quality and value of cancer research through consumer involvement and to raise public awareness of clinical research and cancer research in particular.