Join the Citizens' Panel
Join our Citizens' Panel and help us improve health and social care in Scotland.
Our Citizens' Panel is a group of people from all over Scotland who are willing to tell us what matters to them about health and social care. All you need to take part is to be willing to share your views and opinions anonymously on important questions about health and care. You don't need to have any special skills or knowledge. Your feedback will help to improve services for everyone.
Previous Panels have considered issues including priorities for health and social care after the pandemic and antimicrobial resistance. By taking part in the Panel, individuals contribute towards shaping and influencing national policy and improving outcomes for people.
We will ask you to participate in up to 2 or 3 activities a year, by phone, video call, online or by post. All the personal information you provide will be confidential and you can always decide at the time if you want to take part or not.
The Citizens' Panel is managed on our behalf by a research company called Research Resource. If you are 16 years of age or over and would like to be considered for the Panel, please register your interest on the Research Resource website.
Register to join the Citizens' Panel today: complete our short recruitment questionnaire
Frequently asked questions
What is a Citizens' Panel?
A Citizens' Panel is a group of people who are representative of the wider population and who are consulted on a regular basis on a range of issues. Our Citizens' Panel gives ordinary people the chance to have their say on health and care issues and decisions that are important to the people of Scotland.
Why is a Panel needed?
Everyone in Scotland is likely to use health and care services at some point in their lives, and these services play an important role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing. If the Scottish Government, and health and care providers, are to make informed decisions that are based on the interests of people, they need to know what people think. Feedback from the Citizens' Panel will be used to influence decisions and help shape services to make sure they meet people’s needs and take account of their views.
Who is on the Panel?
The Citizens' Panel will involve around 1,000 members of the public who live in all parts of Scotland. It will be a representative sample of the whole population so that it reflects the views and opinions of as many citizens as possible.
What will Panel members do?
Panel members will take part in up to 2 to 3 activities a year in the way they prefer, for example by email, post, phone or video call. They will be able to express their views and opinions as an individual (not as a representative of a group or organisation) on a number of issues relating to health and social care. Participation in the Panel is completely voluntary and you can choose the leave the Panel at any time.
What feedback will Panel members get?
Panel members will receive the results of the activities in which they have taken part, for example the published reports.
How can I join the Panel?
Our partner supporting us recruit and manage the Citizens' Panel activities is research company Research Resource. We are currently recruiting Panel members. If you are interested in joining the Panel please complete the recruitment questionnaire. We will use the information you give us about your personal circumstances to help us choose Panel members who reflect the overall population of Scotland.
We cannot guarantee that everyone who expresses an interest in joining the Panel will be chosen, however we will store your details safely and may contact you at another time to join the Panel when appropriate. Your personal details will be kept confidential and will help us analyse your responses in future activities.