Download Proposal to provide information for the public about cancer

Role description for service user representative. 130611
Service user representative wanted to advise on new research
study: Developing written information to support a bowel
screening programme.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a test to check the lower part of the bowel using a flexible tube
with a camera at the end which is put into the back passage. It is carried out by a specially
trained nurse or doctor in a hospital clinic.
Job description for service user representative on an expert group
We are seeking to recruit two service user representatives to serve on an expert group
overseeing the development of materials for a new bowel screening programme in England
using flexible sigmoidoscopy.
Currently, bowel screening is offered to people aged 60-69 every two years using the Faecal
Occult Blood test, which involves sending a sample of faeces to a laboratory. NHS Cancer
Screening Programmes plans to extend the bowel screening to include flexible
sigmoidoscopy testing once-only to everyone aged 55.
Offering screening using flexible sigmoidoscopy once-only between the ages of 55 and 64
reduces the risk of developing bowel cancer by 23%, and dying of bowel cancer by 31%
compared with no offer of screening.1
Professor Amanda-Jane Ramirez and Dr Lindsay Forbes of the King’s College London
Promoting Early Presentation Group are leading a process of development of written
materials to support the screening programme. These will eventually need to be agreed by
the NHS Bowel Screening Advisory Group.
These materials include:


a postal flier informing people that they will soon receive an invitation
a postal leaflet providing more detail to be sent with an invitation letter
In addition, we will develop a number of letters and information leaflets about follow-up tests.
Professor Amanda-Jane Ramirez and Dr Lindsay Forbes have set up a group to advise the
Bowel Screening Advisory Group and we would like this group to include two service user
representatives.
Professor Ramirez is Director, and Dr Lindsay Forbes is Clinical Senior Lecturer of the KCL
Promoting Early Presentation Group. Professor Ramirez is also National Clinical Lead for
Cancer Patient Information.
Time commitment
The study will start in late July 2011. We hope that the service user representatives will
commit to this group initially for a minimum of six months. As the materials may
subsequently need to be revised and updated, we would hope that the representative would
extend their commitment, but this is not essential. We envisage that the service users will
need to attend and contribute to two or three face-to-face meetings and may be asked for
opinions on written materials in the interim. Background information and, if necessary,
training in research and the user representative role will be provided.
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Role description for service user representative. 130611
Service user representative specification
We would expect the service user representative to have the following characteristics:

Aged 55-60, male or female (we would hope to recruit one man and one woman)

No personal history of bowel cancer and no immediate family history of bowel cancer

An interest in cancer screening and familiarity with the rationale for cancer screening

Understanding of rationale for providing information for making an informed choice to
take up screening

Able and willing to read and comment on written materials

Able and willing to voice opinions verbally and in writing and contribute constructively
to debate
Remuneration
The positions are voluntary but you will be reimbursed for your travel and out-of pockets
expenses up to £25.00 per meeting.
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