Over a half a million members of the British public took part in clinical trials through the NIHR Clinical Trials Research Networks in 2010, a 24% increase on the year before. Those are the Government's figures, not mine. Last week's 'life sciences' announcement included a range of measures to increase patient recruitment to trials. These include … Continue reading In defence of the clinical trial patient: a health research ombudsman?
Author: simondenegri
Winston: Never has so little, been done by so many in Government on public engagement in science
Says Winston ('Lord' that is, not Churchill). Saw this interview on the Energy and Environment Managementwebsite and thought it worth posting because of Robert Winston's criticism of the Government's approach to public engagement in science. It consists of two video interviews although you can get a sense of the major points of the interview from … Continue reading Winston: Never has so little, been done by so many in Government on public engagement in science
Cancer voices in medical and health research
I have been meaning to post this for a little while but have been waiting for a break in the action. Just wanted to pass on this excellent publication from independent cancer patients' voices entitled: 'Yearbook 1: Opening the Conversation - A Record of Achievement 2009-2011.' Those designing and writing annual reports might also learn … Continue reading Cancer voices in medical and health research
Dear David Cameron, being a ‘research patient’ is one thing, it’s being a ‘research citizen’ that interests us more
Wall-to-wall coverage of the Prime Minister's speech yesterday about life sciences and putting the NHS at the heart of innovation. All a bit frustrating therefore, that the full transcript of his speech is not yet available on the No 10 website as far as I can seen. The BBC has by far the best overview … Continue reading Dear David Cameron, being a ‘research patient’ is one thing, it’s being a ‘research citizen’ that interests us more
The Government’s life sciences announcement and the debate on patient data
There is much to absorb us all in today's speech by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, on life sciences and the associated package of intiiatives he has announced to boost medical research. The headline contents of what has become known over the last few months as the 'life sciences' package were being widely trailed and … Continue reading The Government’s life sciences announcement and the debate on patient data
Free new UK clinical trials search phone app available
The UK Clinical Trials Gateway has just launched a mobile phone app enabling you to search for information on clinical trials. You can download it through the Apple Store by typing 'UK Clinical Trials Gateway' into the search field. Otherwise appgrabber has it for download here. And its free. Not yet available as a full … Continue reading Free new UK clinical trials search phone app available
Health Research Authority (HRA) commits to public involvement from day one
The Health Research Authority (HRA) has published the plan for what it will be up too in the months leading up to March 2012. Really pleased to see a commitment under the Governance section (para 3.3) to develop a comprehensive plan for public and patient involvement. You'll see the statement mentions working with both INVOLVE and AMRC … Continue reading Health Research Authority (HRA) commits to public involvement from day one
Pinch, punch, first day….of the Health Research Authority (HRA)
HRA is established today as a Special Health Authority. I believe further details will be published a bit later and I'll post them here accordingly. But you might want to keep checking the website of the National Research Ethics Service (NRES). 'Anon,' as the bard used to say.
Supertrams, supertramp and day-glo…plus JLA (no, not JLS!) go to number one
I don't know about you but I've taken to asking for a 'double-dip' lottery ticket since yesterday's Autumn Statement. Never has so much hinged on four new trams in Sheffield, who would have thought? But as soft rock band Supertramp famously said in "Put On Your Old Brown Shoes": ''We've got to get away, get … Continue reading Supertrams, supertramp and day-glo…plus JLA (no, not JLS!) go to number one
Patients, ethics committees and clinical research – NRES/INVOLVE report highlights ‘public’ challenge for new health research regulator (HRA)
Sometimes you are just defeated by the brilliance of others. So, if you are looking for a wonderful summary of what the autumn statement means for health research, then I can highly recommend Becky's Policy Pages. Clearly, the opening up of health data is the single most important strategic announcement in today's statement - much … Continue reading Patients, ethics committees and clinical research – NRES/INVOLVE report highlights ‘public’ challenge for new health research regulator (HRA)
Ruby Wax on mental health – now updated with link.
Just thought I'd mention that Ruby Wax is being interviewed this morning about depression on Woman's Hour - the best bit of BBC Radio 4 programming by a long chalk. I remember hearing her talk about her battle with depression at a No10 reception for mental health research two or three years ago. It made … Continue reading Ruby Wax on mental health – now updated with link.
Has Age UK lost the research mojo?
An article by Anjana Ahuja in The Observer the weekend before last, examined the dispute that has arisen over the new funding guidelines that Age UK has issued for its scientific grants programme. A range of leading scientist in the field of ageing including Professor Richard Faragher, Chair of the British Society for Research on … Continue reading Has Age UK lost the research mojo?
Why Georgia is an example to us all on clinical trials
This is a piece I spotted in the local press in Wirral about schoolgirl, Georgia Semple, who is a member of the Young People's Advisory Group for the NIHR Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN). The Group helps with the design of clinical research - from conveying their views and concerns to researchers, to writing … Continue reading Why Georgia is an example to us all on clinical trials
Slicing up the medical research charity sector in graphic terms…and an ‘uksome’ trend in rebranding
I meant to post this last week. People quite often ask me about the composition of the UK medical research charity sector in terms of number of charities and their size as regards the amount they fund Well, two weeks ago the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) held their AGM and, with it published … Continue reading Slicing up the medical research charity sector in graphic terms…and an ‘uksome’ trend in rebranding
‘Your health records saves lives leaflet’…now available here
Here's hoping this works. So, (sorry John Humphries et al) rather than send you all off somewhere else, here is the pdf of the whole patient information leaflet 'Your health records saves lives' which I wrote about yesterday. Click here: PHR LIFT England online As I say, please pass it on...for me. And you can … Continue reading ‘Your health records saves lives leaflet’…now available here
Patients helping cancer research go stratospheric for the benefit of others
Cancer Research UK's patient recruitment drive which has just got going as part of its Stratified Medicine Programme is getting a lot of attention today. One patient, Wendy, is quoted in the news material as saying: 'Even though I won't benefit from that research, it's comforting to think that my experience with cancer will be … Continue reading Patients helping cancer research go stratospheric for the benefit of others
Available in all good GP surgeries – new patient information leaflet on the use of patient data for research
This leaflet 'Your health records saves lives' (click on the picture below) marks the fruits of much hard work by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) partnership over two years. Conceived, designed and written with patients very much as partners in the process, it seeks to explain how patient data is used for research purposes. … Continue reading Available in all good GP surgeries – new patient information leaflet on the use of patient data for research
International leaders in cancer research in conversation and a new Channel 4 video on clinical trials
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has a rather nifty web-page at the moment with various leading lights in cancer research talking about cancer therapeutics. They include Bob Brown, chair, translational oncology, Imperial College London. And hear is a rather nifty video explaining drug trials done by Channel 4. Just click on the picture … Continue reading International leaders in cancer research in conversation and a new Channel 4 video on clinical trials
Why not turn off your tv set and try your hand at some surgery research
This may not post very well as I am on my mobile. But passing on as it may be of interest. NIHR Workshop on Surgery Research Researcher Briefing Event Thursday 9 February 2012 The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) commissions leading-edge scientific research focused on improving the health and wealth of the nation. NIHR … Continue reading Why not turn off your tv set and try your hand at some surgery research
NHS research culture awards
Given my post yesterday I am delighted to congratulate Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust on winning the Health Service Journal's (HSJ) first ever research culture award last night. The full list of winners and highly commendeds is as follows: Winner: Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust Highly Commended: Portsmouth Hospitals … Continue reading NHS research culture awards
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