Background
The Centre for Ethnic Health Research was established in 2016 with funding for a researcher for 11 hours per week. Funding was provided by AHSN, CCG, CLAHRC and the University of Leicester. The aim was to research and develop a strategy and vision to reduce ethnic minority health inequalities within the East Midlands by working with Patients, the Public, community and voluntary sectors, researchers, health and social organisations.
Both nationally and internationally, there are increases in the size and diversity of ethnic minority populations. The East Midlands covers a large area and there are significant differences in the demography of the region. With major ethnic minority communities predominantly in city areas but there are increasing numbers which can be found in the county shires.
CBME Health primarily focuses on addressing inequalities. It will do so, first and foremost, by involving communities in a meaningful fashion so that people’s voices and their opinions are not only heard but also form the basis of research and solutions. The Centre is unique in that it brings together researchers, health and social care practitioners, patient and public involvement, faith leaders and community members.
Good Governance
The health and wellbeing of patients and all populations would be central to CBME activities and good governance will ensure focus and delivery. This would be accomplished by:
- inspiring community led research
- develop alternative methodologies
- develop and promote culturally sensitive resources
- raise awareness of community engagement
- encourage active research participation with seldom heard groups
Clarity of role and aims
The University has recently committed substantial funds to expand the CBME programme of research focussing on the theme of Ethnic Health. This additional funding is being managed by the Centre for Ethnic Health Research based at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester General Hospital.
This important area of work needs oversight from experienced senior academics, clinicians and local stakeholders to drive forward and expand our Ethnic Health research agenda across the University and provide strategic oversight for the Centre and the work it carries out. There are clear lines of accountability for all and every decision taken, both internally and externally, should follow these guidelines:
Transparency and Integrity
Decision making is clear, honest and open.
Rigorous scrutiny
Decisions are subject to fair and robust challenge.
Widen ethnic minority participation in involvement in research
Ensure that ethnic minority views and perspectives are encouraged and nurtured to enable researchers to have effective engagement with ethnic minority communities, from the outset. Provide supportive tools for research in and with ethnic minority populations. Facilitate collaborative opportunities to conduct high-quality research. Offer advice and guidance to make research relevant to ethnic minority communities. Assist in developing stronger funding applications.
Relevant timely and accurate information
Ensure information is used effectively and robust arrangements are in place for assessing the quality of data.
Progressive Development
Ensure systems and processes are continually reviewed and improved to further research and provide input from ethnic minority communities, thereby promoting the development of practical solutions for health practitioners.
Role of the Steering Committee
The ethnic minority and Uol Steering Committee will provide strong, sustainable, strategic focussed leadership and governance, according to the principles above.
The role of the Steering Committee is to:
- Exercise accountability to the Uol Steering Committee
- Act as a conduit for the dissemination of information from the UoL Steering committee meetings within their Departments, researchers and colleagues.
- Encourage staff/researchers to deliver and engage in research that includes ethnic health at the outset. Delivering high quality ‘real world’ evidence.
- Ensure that the voices of ethnic minority patients and the public are heard and reflected in areas of strategy, research and the development of practical solutions
- It will meet to consider findings, receive and review reports on research delivery.
- On request, the Steering committee will receive presentations from academic staff, research projects/studies and events across UoL and their engagement with the Centre.
It will receive information at each meeting, including:
- Review/undertake engagement with partners and other stakeholder organisation.
- Review the dissemination of activities and events relating to ethnic health.
- Research publications resulting from across UoL (directly or indirectly)
- Evidence the impact of UoL research on ethnic minority populations in health care delivery, commissioning decisions and population health.
Meetings of the Steering Committee
The Committee will meet 3 times per year at either the Leicester Diabetes Centre or George Davies Centre. The first meeting is scheduled for the 8th May 2018.