We are inviting members of the public, patients and carers to become SURF Members and have a say in Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) Research. We want people from around the country who are willing to share their thoughts and perspectives, give their views on ideas for research, review study designs and perhaps be involved in undertaking research.

Types of SURF Membership
There are two different types of SURF Membership:

• Core Membership - As a core member of SURF you will be asked to attend SURF meetings (usually in London) at least two/three times per year. Some activities will be home based and there may be opportunities for other activities which involve travel, such as visits to research centres for meetings with research staff, or attending conferences. All reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

• Associate Membership - As an associate member, you will be asked to undertake activities which can be completed from home. For example, Commenting occasionally by post or by email on important questions and issues which come up about HCAIs, the designs of specific studies and research methods, or the quality of patient leaflets. No travel is required in this role.

What sort of people join SURF?  
SURF membership is open to any member of the public who is interested in becoming involved in healthcare-associated infection research - and as such our members come from a wide variety of backgrounds. However, all our members are bound by a common goal to make a difference to HCAI research. Each member brings with them their own unique experiences and reasons for joining SURF.  Click here to read the biographies of of current SURF Members and learn more about their reasons for joining.

How can SURF make a difference? 
SURF members can make a difference to infection research in a wide variety of ways. For example, becoming involved in:

• Setting new research priorities

• Writing and appraising research proposals

• Applying for funding to conduct their own research

• Developing and assessing lay materials

• Collecting and analysing data

• Evaluating and improving the experience of research participants

• Engaging service users in other fields

• Working with researchers to devise how best to involve the public

Join SURF!
If you would like to Join Surf please download, complete and return the SURF Membership Form to the SURF Administrator, Meg Morse - meg.more@tvu.ac.uk.