Paid research with the NHS

In 2021, more so than any other before, the National Health Service has been the nations’ pride and joy. The NHS is one of the most recognisable and loved institutions in the world and the world’s fifth largest employer, having worked tirelessly to keep the UK healthy whilst fighting off the pandemic, and their selfless acts are nothing short of heroic.

People for Research have been working closely with the NHS to connect them to the voices that matter: yours! As the NHS moves into new practices, such as going digital, they want to make sure that what they are creating is useful and accessible to all.

That is why before rolling out a new process to all 1.7 million staff members, they wanted to hear first-hand from the general public and get feedback from a diverse group of people. By taking part in research with the NHS, our participants are helping to improve essential systems and processes for NHS staff, making information and the procedure for patients easier and getting paid for their time.

Why take part in paid research with the NHS?

Because research benefits everyone

“I work in education and, as a key worker, we’re doing regular testing. I believe research brings a lot of benefits into any sector and helps improve the facilities and service delivery. I wanted to take part in NHS research to improve my own understanding and help other people around.” – Mirela

“I found the research interesting and would like to help, even in the smallest of ways, for us to all reach ‘normalcy’." – Bluebell

As these two participants have found, taking part in research helps to make things simpler and allows the NHS to share important information faster and more easily. Mirela and Bluebell were involved in research into the COVID-19 testing process, which has since then processed 250 million tests!

It can directly affect your life for the better

“I am a key worker and I have worked at my workplace all through the pandemic. My job involves working with the public and we have clear and prominent coronavirus signage in my workplace, so I just wanted to do my bit to help with the design of these very important posters.” – Stephen

In Stephen’s case, getting to influence the signage in his workplace meant he was able to help everyone that came into the shop he works at. Signage and easy access to information has been crucial to provide some clarity in these confusing times.

You get paid!

“I wanted to take part because I wanted to be paid for hopefully being a bit useful.” – Sonia

“I took part for the cash, but also out of interest.” – Karen

Quite right too! Your opinions are valuable, and companies should pay you well for them. You are directly improving their business and service and will have an impact on their overall function.

For example, Sonia has helped to improve the instructions for at-home test kits. These cost the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds, so if her advice on simpler instructions reduces the amount thrown in the bin or processed incorrectly, she has certainly saved the UK several thousand pounds (at least).

Have your opinion count

“The entire study was very well organised with clear instructions, and it gave me the opportunity to be part of a very important study, useful for the situation we all must face due to the pandemic.” – Mirela

“I really enjoyed the sessions, the researcher who conducted the session with me was very polite and friendly. They treated me with respect and they valued my opinion… The researcher seemed very interested in what I had to say.” – Stephen

Having your voice heard is an important part of feeling comfortable and in charge of your life. Many of us have felt this year that we have had a lack of autonomy, so to take the reins and influence important decisions puts you back in the driving seat. You can feel valued whilst adding value into processes that are now a part of all our lives.

Improve data to help an essential organisation

“I found the instructions lengthy and suggested ways of improving matters… hoping this might be useful, especially if it got more people registering results.” – Sonia

More and more, data is guiding decision-making here in the UK (and around the world) so it’s important to have the right information to begin with.

With COVID-19, we cannot gather relevant data without people correctly following the rules and taking tests in the right way. To do this, processes need to be quickly figured out and displayed in the clearest format. That is where many PFR participants are helping to improve the results and accuracy of tests and information.

Examples of research sessions

Taking lateral flow tests

Bluebell was asked to do several COVID-19 lateral flow tests as part of her research and received £90 for her time. She recorded her results and followed up with a 1-2-1 interview and short survey to report how easy she found the experience of reporting the results on the NHS website.

“I was first asked to complete a short online video interview that explained the task ahead. The task involved taking four different tests over a two-week period and completing short online surveys at the end of each one. The survey mainly asked about our results and how we found the testing process. Testing definitely got easier and quicker as I progressed. At the end of the two weeks, I had to complete another face-to face online meeting talking about the process and my feelings towards it.” – Bluebell

Getting paid to order a test kit

“I was asked to explain how I sourced a self-test kit when I was not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.” – Sonia

Sonia fed back her experience of whether she found instructions straight forward to follow at the time of ordering a test kit, as well as the instructions of the test kit itself. She also fed back her experience of registering the result. Many of us have had to go through this experience, so it’s thanks to Sonia and many others that it is a simple and easy-to-follow process.

Giving feedback on COVID-19 information and resources

“It involved speaking to someone online and looking at different health promotion ‘notices’ that go outside shops and venues that gave a message in relation to COVID-19 and staying safe. I was to give my opinion on which were preferable in terms of how they looked, clarity, and wording.” – Karen

“My session involved the researcher sharing their screen online and they asked me for my opinion on COVID-19 posters for shops, to endorse safer shopping and to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. I remember seeing around a dozen posters and I was asked to comment on the design, layout, colour and lettering on each poster, as well as if the poster was eye-catching and what I would change to improve the design. I was also shown a mock-up of the posters as to how they would appear in shop windows, and I was asked if the design of the poster stood out.” – Stephen

Karen and Stephen both helped to create the final versions of COVID-19 posters for retail and public spaces. Their creative eye was tested from both the consumer and the key worker perspective, and their opinions helped to make the posters as useful as possible. The posters had to be eye-catching and user friendly to serve their purpose and through their research sessions, they made a big impact to the success of the campaign across the UK.

You can help to keep up this amazing work, by applying to take part in our upcoming sessions and continue to help the NHS improve their services! Take a look at our current opportunities page and keep an eye out for any that are related to vaccines, travelling abroad, healthcare, or similar topics. We have ongoing testing with the NHS, and by applying to take part in these sessions, you’re helping the country’s effort to combat COVID, once and for all.