Trust, respect and openness have felt big themes for the week. I was really sorry not to get to 'Sense about Science's' annual lecture not least because it meant I missed Director, Tracey Brown, do one of her fabulous welcomes and introductions. The main act was Cambridge University historian, Professor Richard Evans, who examined the relationship … Continue reading Is science at ease with itself?
Author: simondenegri
Goodnight Mr Walters
...the closing credits to the brilliant 'Taxi' as you may well know. I'll keep this brief because I'm not a great fan of talking about myself! In case you didn't catch up with the news yesterday, here is the announcement that I shall be leaving AMRC shortly to become Chief Executive at Ovarian Cancer Action . … Continue reading Goodnight Mr Walters
Avoiding the X-factor in using social media for health research
Some of you may have picked up on this interesting study published by Nature Biotechnology and reported by the Wall Street Journal (headline: 'ALS study shows calue of social media as a research tool'). In what the Wall Street Journal describes as an early example of the role that social media might play in clinical trials, … Continue reading Avoiding the X-factor in using social media for health research
PPI Friday
It seems that my Friday blog has become dominated in recent weeks by postings about patient and public involvement. So be it. But before anyone jumps in to criticise, let me assure you of my belief that it is a 24/7 activity! Friday is often quite an interesting day for news. Press officers will tell … Continue reading PPI Friday
Clinical trials on the world stage
I shall no doubt wax lyrical about something later in the day but for the moment, given that it is Friday, I would highly recommend this article/special report by Ben Hirschler of Reuters on the challenges and opportunities inherent in the globalisation of clinical trials. And while I am at it, special mention of the … Continue reading Clinical trials on the world stage
Cuffuffle and coffee
Parliament - that is it's precincts, not those who sit within it - was not designed with the visitor in mind. And, 200 years on from its construction, it has not quite shaken off the perception that it would rather not have to deal with the public. Even the new visitor refreshment area built within the … Continue reading Cuffuffle and coffee
Public attitudes to science survey 2011
Welcome back to those of you who left the rest of us to run the country for two weeks. I must say that I spent the Bank Holiday weekend in a verily good mood having had a quick peek at the results of our annual member survey. This showed that 98% of our members say … Continue reading Public attitudes to science survey 2011
Vital ingredients in the research recipe – Cancer Research UK publishes OHE study
A quick blog this morning to highlight the Cancer Research UK commissioned, Office of Health Economics report published today which looks at the interdependency of public and charity medical research. Cancer Research UK's policy guru, Harriet Teare, gives a commentary on the study and what it means on their blog this morning. The co-dependency of public, charity … Continue reading Vital ingredients in the research recipe – Cancer Research UK publishes OHE study
From research to treatment, AMRC urges progress
If you are looking for AMRC's statement today, pressing the Government to bring forward regulations to license techniques to prevent the hereditary transmission of mitochondrial disease in clinical treatments, then please check out our website. And Becky's policy pages contain a very helpful summary of the issue.
PPI Toolkit
I was rather upset to see a journalist write rather disparagingly about the I-Spy series of books as 'patronising.' Personally I was delighted to hear that they had been relaunched by Michelin. The fact is, in this information-laden world of ours, the value of pocket-sized guides could not be greater. So I was delighted to … Continue reading PPI Toolkit
Are you researchy?
The NHS Future Forum - the recently announced exercise by the Department of Health to get the NHS reforms back on track - has today published a list of its members. Further names are likely to be added it seems. It includes a few 'researchy' people as we tend to call them here in the office … Continue reading Are you researchy?
Ridding ourselves of the 'red tape' worm
If you believe the Government - any Government in fact - we are all entangled in webbing made of regulation red tape that makes us look like one of those mummies emerging from a tomb in a 60s Hanna Barbara cartoon. However, I can't help but agree on this occasion. I don't know about you, … Continue reading Ridding ourselves of the 'red tape' worm
Department of Health about to have a Field day taking calls, I believe.
The NHS seems to be dominating my life this week. Quite apart from the news headlines, it has involved two visits to the doctors and a blood test so far ..but I am on the mend I am pleased to report. All I can say is, a 45 minute wait for a blood test and excellent … Continue reading Department of Health about to have a Field day taking calls, I believe.
A rest is as good as a change…
UPDATE - so here is the BBC report on Lansley's statement this afternoon. The 'natural break' in proceedings would seem an opportune moment for AMRC and senior leaders across clinical research to press to meet with Ministers and discuss some of the reforms that would help the legislation be a force for good for research. Watch … Continue reading A rest is as good as a change…
A 'silver cloud' with a dark lining? – medical research charities in the recession
I suspect you may have seen the bleak forecast made by charity chief executives in the latest National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) survey published today. 97% of those surveyed said they expected economic conditions to be negative and 55% advised that they would be reducing their staff. Tough times indeed. And so this seems an opportune moment … Continue reading A 'silver cloud' with a dark lining? – medical research charities in the recession
Carry on up science
'Infamy, infamy, they've got it in for me!' So said Kenneth Williams in 'Carry on Up Pompeii.' The Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, could be forgiven for pacing his office floor muttering the same words such are the column inches appearing each day about his NHS reforms. Anyway, I am looking forward to our … Continue reading Carry on up science
Budget reaction
UPDATE & FURTHER COMMENT There's a very helpful bullet point summary of the budget measures concerning health research on NIHR's website. Having only just landed in the office after an afternoon following developments while in and out of meetings, I would add the following to my comment earlier today: 'Credit where credit is due. After … Continue reading Budget reaction
Science and the budget, peer review and a spot of crowd-sourcing
Tomorrow is Budget day. Having just finished AMRC's own budget and business plan for 2011-2012 all I can say is: George you know where I am if you want to crunch some last minute numbers? The Financial Times is reporting today that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will announce a £100million cash injection for capital … Continue reading Science and the budget, peer review and a spot of crowd-sourcing
Brain science across the EU
I am posting this just because I thought it was a thoroughly absorbing and interesting overview of what is happening in brain science across the European Union (EU) and how mental health reseach will be positively impacted by the European Commission's recently announced resarch funding reforms: Máire Geoghegan-Quinn Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Brain … Continue reading Brain science across the EU
NHS reforms, research and 'localism'
I really would encourage you to read this morning's article in The Guardian about the impact of the NHS reforms on doctor expertise and research. Its the first article that I've seen thus far which really conveys the message about health research that AMRC has been trying to put across and on which we anticipate stepping up … Continue reading NHS reforms, research and 'localism'
simondenegri.com 