The Government has today announced an Innovative Medicines and MedTech Review, beginning in early 2015. The Minister for Life Sciences, George Freeman MP, has set out a bold vision for cutting drastically the time it takes to develop and give patients access to new medicines and innovation. This news release lays out the basic aims … Continue reading Less haste and more speed is better for research and better for patients
Author: simondenegri
Public involvement in research to be turned into drama in groundbreaking new play
On my travels so a cut and paste of a news release about an exciting new project. Those who know Y Touring will also be pleased to hear that it has found a loving home at last. New theatre company: Theatre of Debate Ltd. announces inaugural project Press Release: 13 November 2014 The creation of … Continue reading Public involvement in research to be turned into drama in groundbreaking new play
Who’s making way for who in public involvement?
This morning I listened with interest to the news item about today's Court of Appeal proceedings on whether wheelchairs users have precedence over parents with pushchairs on buses. I know where my sympathies lie. With the wheelchair user. On balance, the consequences of denying them access are likely to be more serious and difficult to … Continue reading Who’s making way for who in public involvement?
Ireland gets to grips with public involvement in research
There are two ways to get to Dublin City Centre from the airport by taxi. You can either join the traffic that wends its way slowly overground. Or you can take the Dublin Port Tunnel which gets you there in no time at all. On behalf of all harried travellers, can I thank the person … Continue reading Ireland gets to grips with public involvement in research
Lit runways and other language pitfalls – or should we say ‘crash landings’ – in science.
I went to a listening event hosted by the new Life Sciences Minister, George Freeman, yesterday. It was rather good. One of the better ones I have attended over the years. So well done him. And well done those who ran it. During the course of the event, I came across a new term - … Continue reading Lit runways and other language pitfalls – or should we say ‘crash landings’ – in science.
A research active NHS is Impt to patients, NIHR survey shows. Minister for Life Sciences quoted
The following is the news release put out today by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network with new survey data about public opinion on clinical research and the role of the NHS. Starts here: A new survey conducted on behalf of the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR … Continue reading A research active NHS is Impt to patients, NIHR survey shows. Minister for Life Sciences quoted
Part II of ‘How to be a lay reviewer of health research:’ Being on a scientific review panel
Last week I posted my top ten tips for patients and the public ('lay reviewers') who have been asked to review applications for health research funding. Today I thought I would share my thoughts on what to expect when asked to be on a review panel; how to best contribute to the panel's work in … Continue reading Part II of ‘How to be a lay reviewer of health research:’ Being on a scientific review panel
Read all about it #WorldMentalHealthDay – Research Special!
In case you have just woken up, today is World Mental Health Day. This year's focus is on schizophrenia but a lot of other things are going on about mental health issues in general. In no particular order, but with thanks to friends and colleagues for sending these to me, here are some interesting things … Continue reading Read all about it #WorldMentalHealthDay – Research Special!
And the Nobel Prize for public involvement in health…..
It is wonderful news that British professor, John O'Keefe has won this year's Nobel Prize for Medicine for his discovery of the brain's 'GPS' system. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/11143190/British-professor-wins-Nobel-Prize-for-medicine.html For science. For families coping with neurological disease. And for my institution, University College London (UCL), which now hosts my NIHR post as National Director. Good on John O'Keefe … Continue reading And the Nobel Prize for public involvement in health…..
The art of lay reviewing in health research: some pointers
A little while ago someone suggested that I write something about my approach to lay reviewing in health research. Not so much a 'how to' guide as there are lots of these and very good they are too. More, an insight into the questions I ask myself when forming an opinion on an application for … Continue reading The art of lay reviewing in health research: some pointers
Cancer research ‘sales’ to patients remain flat
Today sees the annual Cancer Patient Experience Survey published. For the third year running it looks at the extent to which people with cancer are being told about the opportunity to take part in research. Also, how many take up that opportunity. National data is published and then statistics are provided by NHS Trust and … Continue reading Cancer research ‘sales’ to patients remain flat
If AHSNs are failing can we at last have a democratic space for innovation in the NHS?
Today I have been in Bolton to kick-off the NHS North West R&D Conference. 170 delegates - including patients and the public - getting together over two days to talk research. A great event and I hope they feel I got them off to a good start with my talk. It occurred to me afterwards … Continue reading If AHSNs are failing can we at last have a democratic space for innovation in the NHS?
Are we being cynical enough in public involvement?
I am sure you can imagine the following scenario even if you haven't witnessed it in person. A football game is poised delicately at 0:0. The home side get the ball and give it to their striker who dribbles past the away side's last defender. The striker has only the goalkeeper to beat and surely … Continue reading Are we being cynical enough in public involvement?
This autumn we will all be wearing….. ‘stratified medicine.’ New reports by ABPI and TSB
I note that it is London Fashion Week. I look forward to finding out what colours are 'in' or 'out,' what I should or should not be wearing over the next 12 months. Science is no stranger to fashions or trends. All of a sudden you can find yourself deluged with reports and the such … Continue reading This autumn we will all be wearing….. ‘stratified medicine.’ New reports by ABPI and TSB
Health Research Authority (HRA) draft guidance on sharing trial results with research participants and more!
The Health Research Authority (HRA) is to be congratulated on its draft guidance to researchers on providing information to participants at the end of the study. The guidance is open for consultation until the end of this month.It takes a common-sense approach to sharing trial results with study participants. I challenge any researcher not to find … Continue reading Health Research Authority (HRA) draft guidance on sharing trial results with research participants and more!
Sciencewise: 10/10 see you again – I sincerely hope so!
Sciencewise, the Government funded body which aims to improve science and technology policy-making by making better use of public dialogue, is celebrating its tenth birthday this year. Set up in 2004 in the wake of the fiasco that was GM foods, Sciencewise has done much within Whitehall and Westminster to advance the case for a more open, … Continue reading Sciencewise: 10/10 see you again – I sincerely hope so!
Are you a victim of disruptive innovation? Call now.
Family doctors say they are being swamped by patients complaining of disruptive innovation disease (DID). Employers have raised concerns over £000s that they might have to pay out in compensation to sufferers who complain they DID it. But practical help may be just around the corner for these people and their families. I am about … Continue reading Are you a victim of disruptive innovation? Call now.
The low hum of mediocrity can never be acceptable to patients
You can't beat a good juxtaposition. And August seems to throw up more than its fair share. It's as if the soil, hard-packed by hardened hacks over many months, has been freshly tilled by novice reporters, revealing pearl white fragments of porcelain that say as much about now, as then. This is the slow news … Continue reading The low hum of mediocrity can never be acceptable to patients
Canada takes a whole-system approach to public involvement in research
Last week, at the INVOLVE meeting for NIHR public involvement leads, a colleague asked me whether our strategic review would get near to a national strategy. I said I was pretty confident it would. Otherwise what's the point. You can see a copy of my presentation slides inducing an overview of the review findings here … Continue reading Canada takes a whole-system approach to public involvement in research
What have people told us about public involvement in research?
Yesterday INVOLVE hosted a meeting of about 100 public involvement leads from across the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). There are probably nearer 200 in total across the NIHR family.This was the first time that we have ever been able to bring together people in this way. A powerful milestone.This link will take you … Continue reading What have people told us about public involvement in research?
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