We are a nation that no longer knows when to put its rubbish bins out. So I reflected, as I dragged our two overflowing wheelie bins back to their usual place. To be fair to Bromley Council, it's not that they fail to pick-up our rubbish; just that no one can quite predict what sort … Continue reading NHS reforms to face a tough round of Peer review this autumn
Author: simondenegri
Canada gets the ‘patient involvement in research’ bug
A few weeks ago I mentioned meeting the Director of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) to discuss public involvement in research. Last night I stumbled on the following announcement by the Canadian Government about the development of a patient-orientated research strategy. Excellent news. I am sure the news has very little to do … Continue reading Canada gets the ‘patient involvement in research’ bug
From I Claudius to iLansley…phone apps in the new NHS
The summer break has clearly done the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, a world of good. From beating a lone path as the libertarian Claudius in the face of a centralised health service, he has resurfaced this week as the man for all seasons to launch a competition for the best ideas for … Continue reading From I Claudius to iLansley…phone apps in the new NHS
INVOLVE membership drive – help shape the future of public involvement in UK research
Passion more than duty prevails upon me to post details of INVOLVE's search for new members. As you may know I have recently taken over as Chair of INVOLVE. Just follow the links below . Copy as follows....... Would you like to get involved with INVOLVE? We are looking for new members. INVOLVE has a … Continue reading INVOLVE membership drive – help shape the future of public involvement in UK research
Off-shoring clinical trials
Interesting article from the US today about the pros and cons of offshoring clinical trials. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/08/03/report-questions-offshoring-in-us-heart-studies/
Government’s Big Society recipe ill-served by its cooks
Last week I think it was, David Cameron's guest editorship of the Big Issue attracted a fair bit of coverage. The Daily Telegraph said the PM was using it as an opportunity to kick-start his Big Society initiative. We have heard similar statements for quite some time now and I am beginning to wonder whether … Continue reading Government’s Big Society recipe ill-served by its cooks
Cancer prevention message from a credible source
I am sure some of you may have seen or heard this story from this morning. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) have rightly used statistics showing the higher incidence of cancer among women in Britain compared to other EU countries, to do a bit of a wake-up call to us all about what we … Continue reading Cancer prevention message from a credible source
MS stem cell breakthrough
Today's MS stem cell story is running on the front page of today's hard copy edition of the London Evening Standard because of the strong London connection. So I thought I'd post it here. Well done to colleagues at the MS Society who have helped fund this work. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23974245-new-stem-cell-treatment-hope-for-ms-sufferers.do
How many NHS letters will I get today….?
This is a picture of four of the five letters I have received from the NHS about my forthcoming dermatological appointment. All in the last week. One for the original appointment. Two to cancel it. Two to inform me of the new date. And rising....... An email would have done. I shall keep you informed … Continue reading How many NHS letters will I get today….?
Parliament’s take on peer review in scientific publications
Here is the BBC News online report about today's parliamentary select committee report about peer review in scientific publications and the report itself is here. More later I suspect.
Social media leaving doctors and researchers…virtually clinic bound
I suspect this has been picked-up by someone else but an article in the US publication 'Information Week' from 11th July this year provides further data on the rise of social media (twitter, blogs, Facebook etc) as a tool by which patients are seeking and sharing health information. It actually looks at a report by … Continue reading Social media leaving doctors and researchers…virtually clinic bound
Rarer cancers under the microscope
Good article in today'sDaily Mail about rare cancers. It will give you a good understanding of the issues and difficulties In making these cancers the subject of research and treatment development: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2018668/Robbed-hope-cancer-victims-ignored-profit-hungry-drug-firms.html
Uncertain outlook for clinical trials in UK?
Business Monitor International (BMI) have issued their latest report on the outlook for the UK Pharma and Healthcare sector. My reading of it would be that although th UK has some core strengths some significant uncertainties remain. They note the continuing difficulties over clinical trial regulation as a hurdle to future growth and say the … Continue reading Uncertain outlook for clinical trials in UK?
Science should take heed of the need to make the public its partners if it wishes to avoid calls for its liberation
At the end of last month the Canadian Government announced that it would be going ahead with clinical trials of a controversial new treatment for MS sufferers called 'liberation therapy.' The decision has gone almost unreported outside Canadian shores and yet for those interested in the relationship between science and its public it is a … Continue reading Science should take heed of the need to make the public its partners if it wishes to avoid calls for its liberation
From peer review to clinical trials
So there I was this morning talking about peer review, when what should come through the Ovarian Cancer Action letterbox but our certificate of best practice from the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) for our peer reivew practices. It's great to have this 'quality-mark' for all that we do as a research funder. If … Continue reading From peer review to clinical trials
Some alternative thinking on peer review
A few years back I recommended an NIHR report for pool-side summer reading. Ever since I have been inundated with requests to make similar recommendations each year. A little like Greta Garbo I have refused. But not this year. RAND Europe - who are a little like the McKinsey of research proffering consultancy and advice … Continue reading Some alternative thinking on peer review
BBC SCIENCE REVIEW
Those kind folks at the Science Media Centre alerted me to this afternoon's launch of the BBC report into it's science reporting and coverage. Fran Unsworth has written the BBC's news blog on it and it is well worth a read. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2011/07/bbc_science_review.html It has already excited quite a lot of comment. I have yet to … Continue reading BBC SCIENCE REVIEW
Stop press: the BMJ goes ironic on us while MRC Network steps up
I was alerted to this piece by the excellent MRC Policy Watch bulletin. Great, that looks interesting I thought - a BMJ article about how research papers could be made more readable and interesting. Opening up research to the masses is what I'm all about. Particularly when the strapline is so good: Why do scientists … Continue reading Stop press: the BMJ goes ironic on us while MRC Network steps up
Young research pioneer focuses on ovarian cancer and becomes a winner.
My colleague, Katherine Mathieson, at the British Science Association emailed me this morning and reminded me of this excellent story about the young woman who has won the first ever Google online science competition with her research into ovarian cancer. Welldone Shree Bose from the US.
Stem cell research…and that ‘nudge’ theory thing again
So, if you are looking for more information about today's Government report: 'UK Taking Stock of Regenerative Medicine in the United Kingdom' you really do need to visit Becky's policy pages as she has, per usual, taking the words out of my mouth. If am being absolutely honest though, I am more looking forward to … Continue reading Stem cell research…and that ‘nudge’ theory thing again
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