July 2026

At the July APPAP meeting, members received an update on plans to recruit new panel members. Recruitment will begin in September, with opportunities promoted through community organisations, Southmead Hospital and local GP surgeries.

The group reviewed a proposal to contact G1 mothers who had not previously completed questionnaires about their pregnancies and children’s births. Members found the questionnaire clear and straightforward but suggested improvements, including consistent wording, “Don’t know” and “Prefer not to say” options, and reassurance that questions could be left unanswered.

APPAP also discussed ALSPAC’s approach to linking participant information with NHS and other administrative records. Members generally supported the opt-out approach but highlighted the importance of clear, accessible information about data security, particularly following the recent UK Biobank incident. The panel also supported retaining limited information about people who were eligible to join ALSPAC but did not originally enrol, recognising its value in confirming eligibility and maintaining the representativeness of the study.

Finally, members reviewed plans to contact participants who had not taken part for at least seven years. The panel supported the proposed re-engagement exercise and £20 voucher. They recommended explaining how updated addresses had been obtained, highlighting recent research and its impact, and making clearer why the involvement of less-engaged participants is particularly valuable.

The next APPAP meeting will take place in September 2026.