Jacqui Gath

After a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2003 and recovery from successful surgery, Jacqui attended a conference held by Professor Ahmedzai’s Sheffield-based Consumer Research Panel about research and how patients can not only take part in research, but add the patient experience to help researchers. This was an excellent opportunity to add her voice to those of others who want to improve treatment outcomes, and work toward to finding a cure for this modern scourge, so she signed up!

A few years ago, it became apparent to Jacqui that the routine collection of patient data gave rise to a treasure trove that could unlock insights leading to quicker diagnosis and better treatment. This in turn leads to longer life and better quality of it, for patients. Thanks to bodies like DATA-CAN and IQVIA, Jacqui feels we are at the point where we are starting to realise some of the benefits of all that data.

Jacqui’s previous role in IT at a major financial institution provides a good background and understanding of the principles involved in this science, and importantly, the need to collect the right data.

To date (2020), Jacqui has joined the Sheffield and Humberside Ethics Committee, sit on trial steering committees, is a lay member of the Sheffield Cancer Clinical Trials Executive and Experimental Cancer Medicines Committee, and support the work of local researchers in particular, including palliative care research. She also sits on an NIHR Doctoral Funding Panel. Jacqui has many other commitments in the field of patient advocacy nationally, and occasionally internationally.

Jacqui believes that Patient and Public Involvement has changed immeasurably over the last 17 years, with representatives now welcome partners. Nowhere is this more evident than within DATA-CAN.

Pastimes include making face coverings, reading science fiction, and gaming.