The EPIC-Norfolk StudyThe scheduled talk by Victoria Keevil on physical performance was postponed until the October meeting. Members were informed that Anthony Khawaja, who spoke at the last EPAP meeting about the EPIC 3HC eye data, had won an award for best presentation at the recent Royal College of Ophthalmologists annual congress in Liverpool.
Planning is underway for the EPIC Public Meeting to be held later this year. An EPAP information stand and leaflets will be included on the day.
A press release to highlight the 1000th participant being seen for the Fourth Health Check (4HC) will be distributed to the media in the very near future.
It was agreed that the Chair would continue to co-ordinate the Panel and chair meetings for the coming year and the minute-taker would continue. A Panel member agreed to take on the role of writing a website summary following each meeting.
The Panel structure and membership was discussed. It was considered that the Panel is currently well balanced with regards to skills and a natural turnover of members over the past 3 years led to agreement that here is no need to introduce fixed term membership. Nichola holds a list of reserve members.
A Panel member provided an overview of Panel activity over the past year, covering the activities undertaken by the Panel such as consultation on future study ideas, review of documentation, inviting specialist speakers, being chosen as a group and taking part individually in the RAPPORT study, being consulted on Ethics, Research & Development and Governance issues and providing feedback of the experience of taking part in the 4HC.
Shabina Hayat expressed the gratitude of both Chief Investigators and the entire EPIC research team for the hard work, input and commitment of the Panel. She explained the importance of the work carried out and the benefit not only to the current phase of the study but also the future direction of the EPIC research activity.
Finally, the Panel split into groups to examine sections of the latest draft of the EPIC 20 year brochure. They provided helpful feedback for improving the brochure which is due to go to all EPIC participants during August. The opportunity then presented itself to take photographs to update images used of the Panel on the website and study documentation etc.