Some of you may know that today was being dubbed 'Super Wednesday' by some because today is the day that the Department of Health has set out its response to the consultation on the NHS White Paper 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS.' The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has very helpfully published an … Continue reading NHS white paper next steps
Author: simondenegri
OECD Publishes Science Outlook Report 2010 inc. UK profile
So the OECD - which publishes a series of 'state of...' reports throughout the year - has today (Tuesday 14th December) published its Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2010. If you are a member of the public it looks as if you can only download a summary of the report at the moment. Overall messages … Continue reading OECD Publishes Science Outlook Report 2010 inc. UK profile
AMRC Opus 125
I can't think of a better way to end the week than to announce our 125th member charity. 'Autistica' is the largest UK charity raising funds for medical research to improve diagnosis, advance new treatments and discover the causes of autism. The charity has been funding medical research for 6 years, and funds project grants, programme … Continue reading AMRC Opus 125
An evening of industry – how the pharma business model is changing
So it's 10pm and I'm busy here putting the final touches to the AMRC/INVOLVE report of the workshop we held in November which drew together patient views on health research regulation. This was at the invitation of the Academy of Medical Sciences as part of their review of regulation and governance but - and all … Continue reading An evening of industry – how the pharma business model is changing
Doctors' hours and research: the space-time continuum
Yesterday I spoke at a meeting of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). There was an outstanding presentation before mine by Kate Baker, a young academic paediatrician, about what inspired her to go into research. She talked about the importance of charismatic role models in attracting young doctors to science. But also highlighted … Continue reading Doctors' hours and research: the space-time continuum
Dressing down the naysayers on public engagement
I have been rather disappointed not to have bumped into a bear or monkey on the tube today. But there is still time. Who knows what I shall do if I happen to bump into a panda. Will it be a real panda fleeing Chinese scientists? Or a Chinese scientist tracking down an errant panda? I'll let you … Continue reading Dressing down the naysayers on public engagement
Charity donations stutter to life in recession; medical research remains most popular cause
At our AGM last week, I held a workshop with our newly launched small charities network. When asked their top concern, they almost all pointed to the difficulties of raising funds in the current climate. Funds and fundraising are always the top headache for charities but in this sort of economy the difficulties are accentuated. … Continue reading Charity donations stutter to life in recession; medical research remains most popular cause
Where medals and medallions are forged
Whether you like your scientists to be medallion wearers or medal winners or indeed both is I suppose a matter of personal preference. In one of those strange juxtapositions in life I chanced across news of this month's US GQ feature (no, I don't read it) on 'Rock Stars of Science' shortly before leaving my office … Continue reading Where medals and medallions are forged
The Public health white paper – a new school of thought
'Healthy Lives, Healthy People,' the White Paper on public health has been published and is available on the Department of Health website. The news release sets out the Secretary of State's 'ladder of intervention' - from the rather refreshingly titled 'do nothing' up to 'eliminate choice altogether' - which sound like the different states of readiness one … Continue reading The Public health white paper – a new school of thought
Up a ladder with the public health white paper
If you refuse to walk under, or indeed climb, ladders then this blog is not for you. The public health white paper is to be launched tomorrow (Tuesday). There has been much trailing of various proposals that will likely appear in the document - from providing vouchers to school children who walk to school, to a … Continue reading Up a ladder with the public health white paper
The not quite white paper on growth
UPDATE: You can find the Growth Review document published jointly by HM Treasury and the Department for Businesss here. A quick skim through its pages suggests a collection of 'already known' initiatives with a short section at the back announcing a sector-by-sector consultation on barriers to growth. From what is in the document, it is … Continue reading The not quite white paper on growth
Nudge nudge, wink wink
This committee may be going quietly about its business but sometimes a 'nudge nudge, wink wink' can speak volumes.
Earl Howe's Speech at the AMRC AGM
I thought you may be interested in this extract from the Health Minister, Earl Howe's, speech to out AGM on Wednesday: It also gives me pleasure to note [that] AMRC member expenditure on research having exceeded £1 billion for the year for the first time. Given the economic circumstances, I think this is something about which … Continue reading Earl Howe's Speech at the AMRC AGM
Lord (Phil) Willis becomes AMRC Chair
An extract from our news release announcing that Lord (Phil) Willis becomes AMRC's Chair at our AGM taking place at the Royal College of Surgeons of England today. MEDICAL RESEARCH CHAMPIONS FIND NEW CHAMPION Lord Willis of Knaresborough, one of the most prominent voices on science in parliament, has today been appointed chair of the … Continue reading Lord (Phil) Willis becomes AMRC Chair
When good medicine is the casualty of hype and ignorance
I have just returned from the Financial Times' offices, where I was the guest for their regular science podcast hosted by Clive Cookson and Andrew Jack (it will appear here later today). The theme of the discussion was 'Selling Sickness.' Andrew was reporting on a recent conference of the same name that took place last month in Holland. … Continue reading When good medicine is the casualty of hype and ignorance
(Science) Bloggers of the world unite
It has been a long week! But my spirit was much raised by the person who approached me this afternoon after my speech at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine Annual Symposium. They said they liked my 'science' blog. But on reflection I should have corrected them. For I am no scientist and I do not … Continue reading (Science) Bloggers of the world unite
Early signs of science communications entering the doldrums?
A post for discussion rather than one full of wisdom and advice. I am on the train back to the office after giving the keynote at today's INVOLVE conference. It has been a rare moment of quiet reflection. I have been interested to see some of the replies we have had to our requests for … Continue reading Early signs of science communications entering the doldrums?
User involvement in research – drive your own train
I am at the INVOLVE two-day conference in Nottingham this week. INVOLVE is the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded programme promoting public involvement in research. It is perhaps worth adding that INVOLVE is the only publicly funded national organisation of its kind across the world. It's a packed conference - almost 500 delegates … Continue reading User involvement in research – drive your own train
A bit of tidying-up on Scotland
Yes, I know the REF impact pilots are the story of the day and I shall blog about this a little later...But I feel an urgent need to do a little bit of tidying-up from my scrappy blogs while on tour in Scotland yesterday. You may remember that we were taking part in the Science … Continue reading A bit of tidying-up on Scotland
Science in the Parliament event, Scotland
The 'One Voice for Scotland' news release accompanying the policy calls we have put out with our partners today for the Science in the Parliament event in Edinburgh is now available on our website http://www.amrc.org.uk
simondenegri.com 