Cast your vote now! This is the third year running that I have been involved in the Access to Understanding awards run by EuropePMC, eLife and the British Library. It's a great initiative that has gone from strength to strength. And this is the part of the competition where you get to have a say … Continue reading Forget the General Election, cast your vote for public understanding of science NOW! #A2Ucomp
medical research
Sign-up to help step-up research into dementia: new service enables people to volunteer for research studies #joindementiaresearch @beatdementia
Of all the dementia initiatives announced by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, this weekend it may prove the pivotal one. It may not grab headlines in the same way as £ commitments to research or new institutes (although it is doing pretty well). But, without it, this expenditure will be worthless. For other patient populations it … Continue reading Sign-up to help step-up research into dementia: new service enables people to volunteer for research studies #joindementiaresearch @beatdementia
A&E to the rhythm of Casabianca: Our Bubb stood on the crowded ward
News reaches these parts that Stephen Bubb, CEO of the charity umbrella group ACEVO, has cut a deal with the Government to unleash hundreds of charity volunteers on the NHS to alleviate pressures on A&E. http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/05/charity-a-and-e-hospital-age-uk-red-cross-royal-voluntary-service-nhs-england-budget I genuinely do not know how I feel about this. Clearly, Sir Stephen and his colleagues are right to … Continue reading A&E to the rhythm of Casabianca: Our Bubb stood on the crowded ward
Churches’ late showing on ‘three-person baby’ issue is based on a wing and prayer not evidence
I hope those MPs who have yet to decide how to vote in tomorrow's parliamentary debate on the statutory instrument on mitochnodrial donation - 'three-person babies' - will take a few minutes to listen to Sharon Bernardi in this BBC News report from the weekend. Sharon has lost seven children to mitochonria disease and her appeal for this legislation … Continue reading Churches’ late showing on ‘three-person baby’ issue is based on a wing and prayer not evidence
A new deal for patients needing surgery: strategy launched #rcoaperiop
I am not a believer in the wholesale integration of health and social care in the organisational sense. In my view, the evidence for its potential benefits is less than compelling. Do we really need such a major structural change in health and social care given how bad our record is on achieving it well … Continue reading A new deal for patients needing surgery: strategy launched #rcoaperiop
Comment: Science could learn from the Co-op about plugging into the public mood
The Co-op Bank has been through some tough times lately. But yesterday it felt as if it had returned to form. It announced the results of its latest ethics and values survey of its customers, staff and partners. The bank has had an ethical investment policy in place since 1992 and, since then, it has … Continue reading Comment: Science could learn from the Co-op about plugging into the public mood
Blog: Citizens in research: what’s your story going to be in 2015?
You'd think that Aintree Racecourse, home of the Grand National, would be the perfect venue at which to dwell on the barriers to how we involve the public in research. What with 'Bechers Brook' and 'The Chair,' fences over which horses and riders stumble and tumble every year. It would only be right to follow suit, would … Continue reading Blog: Citizens in research: what’s your story going to be in 2015?
Medical research may appear a pantomime at times but all good pantos hold a lesson or two
First his head came into view, followed soon after by his tail..... On Boxing Day Cancer Research UK issued figures suggesting that almost 600,000 deaths from cancer between 2007 and 2011 could have been prevented by healthier lifestyles. Then, on New Year's Day, we were told that scientists at John Hopkins in University in the … Continue reading Medical research may appear a pantomime at times but all good pantos hold a lesson or two
Comment: Don’t stand in the way of the Government’s new science strategy if you are a citizen
Because you might be hit by a £30M laser. Or a 'catapult' at double the price. But you certainly won't be bowled over by its commitment to public engagement. Yesterday the Government published its long-awaited Science and Innovation Strategy: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30515346 The plan sets out a comprehensive programme of investment totalling £2.9 billion of yours and … Continue reading Comment: Don’t stand in the way of the Government’s new science strategy if you are a citizen
MRC publishes new communications and engagement strategy (plus new film!)
The Medical Research Council (MRC) has published a refreshed communications and engagement strategy. There is a section on public involvement on P12 of the document which is the fullest narrative I have seen of their corporate intentions around this aspect of working in partnership with the public. It is a good document and important to … Continue reading MRC publishes new communications and engagement strategy (plus new film!)
People and their medicines: from bench to inside pocket
Shall we start off with a sweeping generalisation? This is a blog after all. Over the years it has been my impression that researchers care quite a lot about what happens next with their scientific discovery, whether it be identifying a genetic mutation or running a clinical trial. The problem is, research funders don't. They … Continue reading People and their medicines: from bench to inside pocket
#INVOLVE2014 is the perfect place for you to start using social media in public involvement: top tips
Monday saw INVOLVE publish its long awaited guidelines on using social media as part of active public involvement in research. And excellent they are too since they were put together with your help. You can find the full document here: http://www.invo.org.uk/posttypepublication/guidance-on-the-use-of-social-media/ And nine examples of how social media has been used in public involvement here; … Continue reading #INVOLVE2014 is the perfect place for you to start using social media in public involvement: top tips
Who’s making way for who in public involvement?
This morning I listened with interest to the news item about today's Court of Appeal proceedings on whether wheelchairs users have precedence over parents with pushchairs on buses. I know where my sympathies lie. With the wheelchair user. On balance, the consequences of denying them access are likely to be more serious and difficult to … Continue reading Who’s making way for who in public involvement?
Ireland gets to grips with public involvement in research
There are two ways to get to Dublin City Centre from the airport by taxi. You can either join the traffic that wends its way slowly overground. Or you can take the Dublin Port Tunnel which gets you there in no time at all. On behalf of all harried travellers, can I thank the person … Continue reading Ireland gets to grips with public involvement in research
Lit runways and other language pitfalls – or should we say ‘crash landings’ – in science.
I went to a listening event hosted by the new Life Sciences Minister, George Freeman, yesterday. It was rather good. One of the better ones I have attended over the years. So well done him. And well done those who ran it. During the course of the event, I came across a new term - … Continue reading Lit runways and other language pitfalls – or should we say ‘crash landings’ – in science.
A research active NHS is Impt to patients, NIHR survey shows. Minister for Life Sciences quoted
The following is the news release put out today by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network with new survey data about public opinion on clinical research and the role of the NHS. Starts here: A new survey conducted on behalf of the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR … Continue reading A research active NHS is Impt to patients, NIHR survey shows. Minister for Life Sciences quoted
Part II of ‘How to be a lay reviewer of health research:’ Being on a scientific review panel
Last week I posted my top ten tips for patients and the public ('lay reviewers') who have been asked to review applications for health research funding. Today I thought I would share my thoughts on what to expect when asked to be on a review panel; how to best contribute to the panel's work in … Continue reading Part II of ‘How to be a lay reviewer of health research:’ Being on a scientific review panel
And the Nobel Prize for public involvement in health…..
It is wonderful news that British professor, John O'Keefe has won this year's Nobel Prize for Medicine for his discovery of the brain's 'GPS' system. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/11143190/British-professor-wins-Nobel-Prize-for-medicine.html For science. For families coping with neurological disease. And for my institution, University College London (UCL), which now hosts my NIHR post as National Director. Good on John O'Keefe … Continue reading And the Nobel Prize for public involvement in health…..
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
If AHSNs are failing can we at last have a democratic space for innovation in the NHS?
Today I have been in Bolton to kick-off the NHS North West R&D Conference. 170 delegates - including patients and the public - getting together over two days to talk research. A great event and I hope they feel I got them off to a good start with my talk. It occurred to me afterwards … Continue reading If AHSNs are failing can we at last have a democratic space for innovation in the NHS?
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