Forgive the headline which is a version of Benjamin Franklin’s: ‘Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked, and never mended well.’ 

If you haven’t seen today’s Guardian splash on science cuts then you should really take a look.  There is a wealth of detail but the human stories are the most absorbing aspect of the piece as always.  At least one of the scientists interviewed (David Proctor), is conducting work funded by medical research charities. 

It is a tragedy to see confidence in the future of UK science slipping away among our scientists in this way.  It will certainly have an impact of medical research charities and it will undoubtedly mean that it will be harder to make an impact with the donations they receive.  

What did Benjamin Franklin also say: ‘It takes many good deeds to build a reputation, and only one bad to lose it.’

…Next week I’ll be blogging from the Conservative Party Conference as usual and we will be publishing our response to the NHS White Paper plus bringing together the latest reports and evidence on public and patient involvement in research.