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
Health White Paper
'A nation of General Practitioners' and other bits of philosophising
The news earlier this week that the National Institute of Clinicial and Health Excellence (NICE) is to lose its powers for deciding which drugs should be made available on the NHS (to be replaced by a new system based around GP commissioning) brought an alternative version of Adam Smith's remarks about shopkeepers to mind: "To found a … Continue reading 'A nation of General Practitioners' and other bits of philosophising
AMRC Responds to NHS White Paper 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS'
A quick post to say that we have today posted our comments on the NHS White Paper on our website. Our response is the first-listed on the consultations page for 2010 here. If you want to get some idea of the Department of Health perspective on the issues we raise you might like to read … Continue reading AMRC Responds to NHS White Paper 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS'
Science at the Conservative Party Conference – notes from a large fringe
Stumbling half-asleep across my hotel room this morning I overheard a spokesman from the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra on the TV saying that every £1 invested in arts in the city generated a further £29 in economic activity. Or something along those lines. As Orwellian visions filled my mind of a day to come where every … Continue reading Science at the Conservative Party Conference – notes from a large fringe
Science at the Conservative Party Conference – avoiding the herd mentality
I read in the Birmingham local press that about 14,000 people are expected at the Conservative Party Conference. It certainly seems busier than the preceding two, even on a Sunday evening. Each conference has its own feel but common to them all is the herd of grey-suited buffalo (including myself I suppose) that migrates from one … Continue reading Science at the Conservative Party Conference – avoiding the herd mentality
Science at the Conservative Party Conference
Two down, one to go. Here's science related 'matter' at the Conservative Party Conference which starts in Birmingham tomorrow. Birmingham University was of course the venue for the Science Minister, David Willett's, first speech after taking office. I am looking forward to being one of the hosts when he joins us for a roundtable breakfast … Continue reading Science at the Conservative Party Conference
Coming down to earth – regulators, dementia taxes, collaboration and new generation politics
I think it was Simon Carr in the Independent who said that Ed Milliband opened his arms at the beginning of his speech as if welcoming the assembled earthlings to his world. I certainly feel as though I have come back down to earth today. An early train back to London from Manchester to a … Continue reading Coming down to earth – regulators, dementia taxes, collaboration and new generation politics
Science at the Labour Party Conference – Ed captures hearts but not science
In my potter around the conference exhibition this afternoon, I stumbled upon a stand for the 'People's Museum' here in Manchester which charts the struggles of the working class and houses the Labour Party's official archives. I wish I had time to pop along if only to check whether my knowledge of political history is … Continue reading Science at the Labour Party Conference – Ed captures hearts but not science
Science at the Labour Party Conference – a Miller's tale
Rumour has it that there is an outbreak of tonsilitis in the north-west at the moment...here's hoping Ed Milliband is being kept in isolation until his leader's speech this afternoon. One thing I forgot to mention from last night's meeting was David Lammy's comment that the coalition government has yet to put together a convincing narrative for … Continue reading Science at the Labour Party Conference – a Miller's tale
Science at Labour Party Conference – Vital Signs
First, a general observation. Less than one day here and I have met four 'Eds' already - more than in the previous ten years travelling the breadth of the UK. Strange that. But perhaps when you are faced by David Willetts you need as many 'Eds' as you can get. I came expecting a muted, … Continue reading Science at Labour Party Conference – Vital Signs
Science at the Lib Dem conference – patients hold their nerve for research
'Hold your nerve' was the message to his party from Nick Clegg yesterday. Well, this evening patients and their carers held their nerve by standing in front of conference delegates to tell their personal stories of fighting disease and the way research has helped, or could help, them. In fact if you happen to be … Continue reading Science at the Lib Dem conference – patients hold their nerve for research
Science at the Lib Dem Conference – Life Sciences Breakfast
Policy-making is not immune to trends. The latest seems to be the 'roundtable' meeting. I blame King Arthur myself (well, they say that trends do come round). But I bet he didn't meet his knights at 9 or 8am. This morning AMRC, the BioIndustry Association, Association of British Healthcare Industries and Association of the British … Continue reading Science at the Lib Dem Conference – Life Sciences Breakfast
Science at Lib Dem Conference – Vince Cable @ Royal Society fringe
People often ask what the point of attending the party conferences is. There are many. But perhaps one of the most important is the opportunity to see, hear and talk to politicians in 'conversational' rather than 'messaging mode.' I thought one of those moments came this evening when Vince Cable addressed the Royal Society's reception. Indeed, … Continue reading Science at Lib Dem Conference – Vince Cable @ Royal Society fringe
Science at the Lib Dem Conference
I'm at the Lib Dem Party Conference in Liverpool today and tomorrow. The sky is set fair and the sea is calm and so seems the conference mood by and large. I went to a good fring meeting at lunchtime Chaired by Julian Huppert MP and hosted by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Diabetes UK … Continue reading Science at the Lib Dem Conference
Charity support for 'a single research regulator'
This afternoon we have published our response to the Academy of Medical Sciences' call for evidence on proposals for a single research regulator. You can find the full text if you click on the 'AMRC Statements' tab at the top of the page or here. Our submission is based on a survey of our members and … Continue reading Charity support for 'a single research regulator'
Vince Cable on Science: a home-spun piece from afar
They say that if you want to see your hometown or nation in a different light you should walk with a stranger who is seeing and experiencing it for the first time. I probably learnt more about England during my spells living abroad than I have in the years before or since. So I was … Continue reading Vince Cable on Science: a home-spun piece from afar
JK Rowling and Donation to Multiple Sclerosis research
There has been blanket coverage of JK Rowling's £10 million donation to set-up a new research clinic at the Edinburgh Centre for Translational Research and quite right too. The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, named after her mother who had MS, will investigate treatments to slow the progression, and ultimately reverse, the symptoms of MS but will also undertake … Continue reading JK Rowling and Donation to Multiple Sclerosis research
Sunshine, stem cells and policy hypochondria over the NHS
It has been a busy 24 hours in medical research. Beginning with the sunnier side of things, I am sure few of you will have esacaped the wall-to-wall coverage of the study published yesterday showing Vitamin D exerts an influence over certain genes associated with diseases like multiple sclerosis and arthritis. The research is notable for its … Continue reading Sunshine, stem cells and policy hypochondria over the NHS
Further thoughts on a single regulator for research
Mid-summer it might be, but my sense is that the prospect of a single regulator for research continues to be the leading topic of debate around and about the community (after the Comprehensive Spending Review of course). My office brought to my attention this series of comment pieces about a single regulator and its impact … Continue reading Further thoughts on a single regulator for research
A new research regulator – Academy calls for evidence
On the train home tonight when an email came through announcing a second call for evidence by the Academy of Medical Sciences as part of its independent review of medical research regulation. This call for evidence focuses on the Department of Health review of arms-length bodies and particularly the pros and cons of a new research … Continue reading A new research regulator – Academy calls for evidence
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