Sciencewise, the Government funded body which aims to improve science and technology policy-making by making better use of public dialogue, is celebrating its tenth birthday this year. Set up in 2004 in the wake of the fiasco that was GM foods, Sciencewise has done much within Whitehall and Westminster to advance the case for a more open, … Continue reading Sciencewise: 10/10 see you again – I sincerely hope so!
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NHS reforms to face a tough round of Peer review this autumn
We are a nation that no longer knows when to put its rubbish bins out. So I reflected, as I dragged our two overflowing wheelie bins back to their usual place. To be fair to Bromley Council, it's not that they fail to pick-up our rubbish; just that no one can quite predict what sort … Continue reading NHS reforms to face a tough round of Peer review this autumn
INVOLVE membership drive – help shape the future of public involvement in UK research
Passion more than duty prevails upon me to post details of INVOLVE's search for new members. As you may know I have recently taken over as Chair of INVOLVE. Just follow the links below . Copy as follows....... Would you like to get involved with INVOLVE? We are looking for new members. INVOLVE has a … Continue reading INVOLVE membership drive – help shape the future of public involvement in UK research
Off-shoring clinical trials
Interesting article from the US today about the pros and cons of offshoring clinical trials. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/08/03/report-questions-offshoring-in-us-heart-studies/
Government’s Big Society recipe ill-served by its cooks
Last week I think it was, David Cameron's guest editorship of the Big Issue attracted a fair bit of coverage. The Daily Telegraph said the PM was using it as an opportunity to kick-start his Big Society initiative. We have heard similar statements for quite some time now and I am beginning to wonder whether … Continue reading Government’s Big Society recipe ill-served by its cooks
Cancer prevention message from a credible source
I am sure some of you may have seen or heard this story from this morning. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) have rightly used statistics showing the higher incidence of cancer among women in Britain compared to other EU countries, to do a bit of a wake-up call to us all about what we … Continue reading Cancer prevention message from a credible source
MS stem cell breakthrough
Today's MS stem cell story is running on the front page of today's hard copy edition of the London Evening Standard because of the strong London connection. So I thought I'd post it here. Well done to colleagues at the MS Society who have helped fund this work. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23974245-new-stem-cell-treatment-hope-for-ms-sufferers.do
How many NHS letters will I get today….?
This is a picture of four of the five letters I have received from the NHS about my forthcoming dermatological appointment. All in the last week. One for the original appointment. Two to cancel it. Two to inform me of the new date. And rising....... An email would have done. I shall keep you informed … Continue reading How many NHS letters will I get today….?
Parliament’s take on peer review in scientific publications
Here is the BBC News online report about today's parliamentary select committee report about peer review in scientific publications and the report itself is here. More later I suspect.
Rarer cancers under the microscope
Good article in today'sDaily Mail about rare cancers. It will give you a good understanding of the issues and difficulties In making these cancers the subject of research and treatment development: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2018668/Robbed-hope-cancer-victims-ignored-profit-hungry-drug-firms.html
Uncertain outlook for clinical trials in UK?
Business Monitor International (BMI) have issued their latest report on the outlook for the UK Pharma and Healthcare sector. My reading of it would be that although th UK has some core strengths some significant uncertainties remain. They note the continuing difficulties over clinical trial regulation as a hurdle to future growth and say the … Continue reading Uncertain outlook for clinical trials in UK?
Some alternative thinking on peer review
A few years back I recommended an NIHR report for pool-side summer reading. Ever since I have been inundated with requests to make similar recommendations each year. A little like Greta Garbo I have refused. But not this year. RAND Europe - who are a little like the McKinsey of research proffering consultancy and advice … Continue reading Some alternative thinking on peer review
BBC SCIENCE REVIEW
Those kind folks at the Science Media Centre alerted me to this afternoon's launch of the BBC report into it's science reporting and coverage. Fran Unsworth has written the BBC's news blog on it and it is well worth a read. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2011/07/bbc_science_review.html It has already excited quite a lot of comment. I have yet to … Continue reading BBC SCIENCE REVIEW
Participatory Medicine
Richard Smith - BMJ - has blogged about this rather good paper on Participatory Medicine by Michael Millenson which appeared in the Journal of Participatory Medicine last month. Read and enjoy.
From the ResearchAmerica blog a new report on the contribution of pharma to the US economy.
New Government commitment on health data
The Prime Minister has come out today with some new commitments on opening up public services by making more data public. For the NHS the list includes: NHS •Data on comparative clinical outcomes of GP practices in England to be published by December 2011, following the lead of the NHS in London which has agreed … Continue reading New Government commitment on health data
Dilnot presents us all with a second opportunity on long-term care
All hail today's Dilnot Commission report. If ever there was a shining - or should I say less than shining - example of the way in which Government has failed its population it is long-term care. This failure has manifested itself in the difficulties faced by many people in accessing and paying for good quality … Continue reading Dilnot presents us all with a second opportunity on long-term care
Long-term care, the long and short of it..
We can expect the news headlines to be dominated over the weekend ahead of Monday's publication of the Dilnot report on long-term care. And it may seem an unlikely candidate for this blog, but social care research will play an important part in evolving better and, yes, more efficient ways of delivering long-term care in … Continue reading Long-term care, the long and short of it..
Ovarian cancer research round-up by Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK blog round-up on ovarian cancer research.
Is the Council for Science and Technology Fit-for-Purpose?
It is a question all Boards and Committees should ask themselves. Yesterday the Prime Minister announced the final names making up the re-formed Council for Science and Technology. Many of the final selection are people I much admire and David Cameron can be confident he is in good hands when it comes to scientific advice. … Continue reading Is the Council for Science and Technology Fit-for-Purpose?
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 