You could help shape the future of Dorset’s health care by becoming a hospital research volunteer.

Dorset County Hospital is seeking public volunteers to help influence innovative health research currently underway at the hospital.

The research and innovation department is recruiting Patient Research Ambassadors to help raise community awareness of lifesaving medical research and to represent a patient perspective.

The ambassador role will be focused both on informing the public of the work of the department and relaying public feeling back to the experts during department meetings.

As well as guiding the direction of research strategy, volunteers will have the opportunity to help with designing research projects.

Based in the Old Chapel in Damers House, near to the Children's Centre, research and innovation is a very active department currently taking part in more than 150 clinical research studies covering most clinical areas.

Dr Zoë Sheppard, head of research at the hospital, said: "We’re very excited to be able to offer members of the public the opportunity to get involved with our work.

"The volunteer Patient Research Ambassadors will work alongside our team to promote the health research and clinical trials work that we undertake at the hospital.

"No prior medical knowledge or experience of health research is required, just enthusiasm for the role and a desire to get involved."

No specialist knowledge is required to become an ambassador, just an interest in health and health research.

The hospital is welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

It is a flexible role and the amount of time people wish to commit can vary depending on their availability.

For those unable to go into the hospital in person, there will be an option to participate from home either on the phone or by email.

To register your interest or for further information please contact the Research and Innovation Department on 01305 253106 or e-mail research@dchft.nhs.uk, or visit the research page of the hospital’s website.

All applicants will be required to undergo the hospital’s usual human resources checks for volunteers.