The EPIC-Norfolk StudyTen Participants attended along with three EPIC Researchers and Andrew Wong, Senior Research Study Manager, MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL who was attending as an observer.
Matters arising from previous minutes
were reviewed and updates given. Unfortunately, the person who was to provide a presentation on the work of an ethics committee was unable to attend this meeting. It was explained that the website committee is aware of screen sizing issues on different screens and devices and that this will be addressed.
Panel membership annual update
The Panel currently has 15 Participant members and is therefore at capacity. A reserve membership list is maintained and any participants offering their time are contacted once a vacancy exists.
Election of posts
The following people were re-elected for the next 12 months:
Chair: Nichola Dalzell
Minute-taker: Steph Moore
Website Summary Writer: Ron Brewer
Talk on Cognition in EPIC-Norfolk
Shabina Hayat (EPIC Research Manager-Cambridge).
Shabina explained that cognition is about different thinking and memory abilities. EPIC-Norfolk is well-placed to look at cognition in a healthy population as Cognition was measured in the third health check (3HC) and is currently being measured in the 5HC. In the 3HC, 8585 participants undertook some or all of the cognitive tests. Therefore, the data obtained from some of the participants at the 5HC, will provide repeat results. Performance could vary for each participant in the different tests and domains.
Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire (FU6), Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ4) and DietWebQ
Panel members were asked for their feedback on completing the stand-alone mailout questionnaires. Steph Moore (Senior Research Assistant) talked to the Panel about the questionnaire responses.
In the past, it took years for dietary data to be checked, entered and analysed ‐ the online Diet‐WebQ allows for this to be done much more quickly. Preliminary data was presented on participants who have completed at least one DietWebQ.
The Fifth Health Check
The Fifth Health Check continues to go well. Over 1000 participants have now attended an appointment.
Other business
The Norfolk Community Health and Care (NCHC) Board have invited EPIC-Norfolk to give a talk in January 2018 on the subject of participant experience in a large-scale research study. Several Panel members would be willing to help with such engagement activities. A photograph was taken of the current members of the panel who were present at the meeting.
Future meetings
October 2017, January 2018, April 2018