It's a big week in research. To mark International Clinical Trials Day on Saturday 20th May, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is promoting its 'I Am Research' (#iamresearch) national campaign to raise awareness of the part played by patients, carers and the public in making research happen. From today until well into … Continue reading Patients are part of the crew in health research not passengers. This week you can support them by getting behind the #iamresearch @OfficialNIHR #ICTD campaign
clinical research
The post-Brexit liberalisation of #clinicaltrials could be the way to a bolder ambition for the UK
There is much post-Brexit talk of using our new-found political independence to liberalise clinical trials in the U.K. We can cut ourselves free of all that terrible EU red-tape that has weighed us down. Or so the argument goes. We can be quicker and more efficient than other countries. We will be more attractive to … Continue reading The post-Brexit liberalisation of #clinicaltrials could be the way to a bolder ambition for the UK
‘Stand up if you love clinical research’ on Intl Clinical Trials Day, 20 May #NIHRoktoask #NHSresearch
My tickets for the FA Cup Final arrived in the post yesterday. I am very excited indeed. I have a feeling that my team will bring the trophy home to south London where it belongs. It is that time of year when football fans are living on their nerves as their team battles to win … Continue reading ‘Stand up if you love clinical research’ on Intl Clinical Trials Day, 20 May #NIHRoktoask #NHSresearch
Have you joined the new online course revolutionising the way the public can learn about clinical research? @NIHRCRN MOOC
I do not ascribe to the view that you have to be 'scientific literate' as a pre-requisite to taking part in science. In the same way that I do not think you need to be fluent in French before you can enjoy a holiday or set up home there. Nothing beats immersion in the way of … Continue reading Have you joined the new online course revolutionising the way the public can learn about clinical research? @NIHRCRN MOOC
There’s nothing wrong in being a poster child for public involvement @bournemouthuni
The small things in life can tell us much about how the world is changing. Whether it's commuters carrying bottles of water. Or the papers left on trains at the end of a journey. What might such tell-tale signs of cultural change be, when it comes to public involvement? Is it the fact that public involvement … Continue reading There’s nothing wrong in being a poster child for public involvement @bournemouthuni
From ‘spacewalking’ patients to Bowie, the literature on public involvement in research reached new Peakes this week
It's one of the hardest things they will have to do. It is physically and mentally draining. For many it will feel a lonely place. The atmosphere will be unlike anything they have ever experienced before. Some will feel as if they are in a state of suspended animation. Others will feel as if they have leapt off a cliff … Continue reading From ‘spacewalking’ patients to Bowie, the literature on public involvement in research reached new Peakes this week
We are looking for feedback on the #NIHRoktoask campaign from patients, researchers, everyone…. Please help and RT.
We are the only country which runs a public awareness campaign across our national health system to encourage people to participate in clinical research - NIHR 'OK to ask'. We've been doing it for three years on the trot to coincide with International Clinical Trials Day (ICTD) in May. Now we want your views on how … Continue reading We are looking for feedback on the #NIHRoktoask campaign from patients, researchers, everyone…. Please help and RT.
Blog: Consent, consent, consent…….new public dialogue report from @HRA_Latest
Today's rare foray onto the UK political scene by Tony Blair reminded me of a simpler time when politicians just used to repeat the same word three times for added emphasis. Or was it the daleks who used to do that? Funny how nightmares and the stuff of dreams can sometimes get confused in this way. Should either … Continue reading Blog: Consent, consent, consent…….new public dialogue report from @HRA_Latest
Old rules need not apply – Is Apple tearing up the rule book with #ResearchKit?
'Purdah' will very shortly fall over Whitehall as the General Election looms. At the end of March the airspace over government will be closed for six weeks or so. No new flights of Ministerial fancy can take off. Those already in the air may continue on their way but must do so in radio silence. Still, … Continue reading Old rules need not apply – Is Apple tearing up the rule book with #ResearchKit?
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
Even pharma must understand the perils of Schwanning about in a storm
On New Year's Eve I took my family up 'The Shard,' London's newest and tallest landmark. As we looked Eastwards a squall was readying itself over the North Downs; the latest in a succession of storms to batter our shores over the past few weeks. Low-flying clouds threatened to swallow us whole. The wind roared around … Continue reading Even pharma must understand the perils of Schwanning about in a storm
UK Clinical Trials Gateway (UKCTG) now shows open trials by location in early Xmas stocking filler for patients
I once wrote an article for a local rag bemoaning the state of the town's railway station. When, two days later, the council announced plans for its complete redevelopment I expressed my shame and guilt to a friend for not having known this. "Simon," he said after a long pause, "it sounds like a simple case … Continue reading UK Clinical Trials Gateway (UKCTG) now shows open trials by location in early Xmas stocking filler for patients
Big month in Brussels for clinical trials…but let’s not be hasty
It's going to be a 'big-ish' month in the EU for clinical trials. By most accounts, EU legislators will reach a compromise agreement on the proposed new Clinical Trials Regulation in time for Christmas. The key focus for industry bodies is around making sure the legislation embraces aggressive timelines for the approval of clinical trials. Remind me, isn't … Continue reading Big month in Brussels for clinical trials…but let’s not be hasty
@RBandH Guest blog: Promoting Clinical Research Locally – From ‘OK to Ask’ to Research Changed my Life
Promoting Clinical Research Activities and Opportunities Locally – From OK to Ask to Research Changed my Life Mark Terry, Research Office, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust (m.terry@rbht.nhs.uk) 2013 has been notable for the strong momentum provided by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to NHS Trusts in our efforts to raise awareness of … Continue reading @RBandH Guest blog: Promoting Clinical Research Locally – From ‘OK to Ask’ to Research Changed my Life
Exclusive preview! UK clinical research gets its own TV show…..Downtown eat your heart out @NIHRCRN
So here's something to make your crumpet and jam just a bit more palatable on Sunday afternoon...Thanks to NIR CRN. This week Health Sector TV will be broadcasting a programme entitled ‘Clinical Research: Making Patients and the NHS Better.’ The blurb says that this is 'an important new documentary highlighting how the Clinical Research Network (as … Continue reading Exclusive preview! UK clinical research gets its own TV show…..Downtown eat your heart out @NIHRCRN
Building ‘research active’ communities for a healthier population: a clear mission for CLAHRCs, AHSNs, LCRNs
I am in Alberta, Canada. I have been invited over to share the UK's experiences in developing public involvement in research. As ever, it is the similarities and not the differences between our two experiences that strike you on a visit like this. More about those another time. My good friend, Derek Stewart, yesterday wrote an excellent blog with his … Continue reading Building ‘research active’ communities for a healthier population: a clear mission for CLAHRCs, AHSNs, LCRNs
Do I detect a slight fumble of the ball in today’s Commons Select Committee report on clinical trials?
Not for the first time I was awake at 3am this morning. Cup of tea in hand, watching American football. It's amazing how those players keep the ball when so many other players are piling on top of them. Rarely do you see the thing break free. They must practice for hours.... The House of Commons … Continue reading Do I detect a slight fumble of the ball in today’s Commons Select Committee report on clinical trials?
Take part in a live trial now as part of NIHR’s visit to the British Science Festival #NIHRCOMETtrial
I hope you'll forgive the fact that what follows is the news release but I am part of the team presenting with Jonathan Sheffield at next week's British Science Festival and I really couldn't put it better than this. The 'live trial' is very exciting indeed and the first dip in the water for a … Continue reading Take part in a live trial now as part of NIHR’s visit to the British Science Festival #NIHRCOMETtrial
Survey: Cancer patients and research – the signage is there but not the opportunity to take part
You know how the story goes. Cancer is way ahead of other conditions when it comes to patients having the opportunity to participate in clinical research. But there's still lots of room for improvement. Today NHS England has announced the results of the annual National Cancer Patient Experience Survey. Almost 70,000 patients took part in … Continue reading Survey: Cancer patients and research – the signage is there but not the opportunity to take part
An unleaked memo on sorry pharma and the silly season
Or should that be silly pharma...I don't know. Yes, our colleagues from pharma have stolen the march on everyone else and got the silly season off to a grand old start. I am referring, of course, to the leaked memo from the European and American pharma trade associations dutifully covered by Ian Semple at The … Continue reading An unleaked memo on sorry pharma and the silly season
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 