I bumped into a friend and neighbour of mine over the Easter holidays. This would not be remarkable but for the fact that he recently suffered a stroke and had been in hospital for two months. I can't tell you how pleased I was to see him. He told me he was having six months … Continue reading On another planet
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Is science at ease with itself?
Trust, respect and openness have felt big themes for the week. I was really sorry not to get to 'Sense about Science's' annual lecture not least because it meant I missed Director, Tracey Brown, do one of her fabulous welcomes and introductions. The main act was Cambridge University historian, Professor Richard Evans, who examined the relationship … Continue reading Is science at ease with itself?
Goodnight Mr Walters
...the closing credits to the brilliant 'Taxi' as you may well know. I'll keep this brief because I'm not a great fan of talking about myself! In case you didn't catch up with the news yesterday, here is the announcement that I shall be leaving AMRC shortly to become Chief Executive at Ovarian Cancer Action . … Continue reading Goodnight Mr Walters
PPI Friday
It seems that my Friday blog has become dominated in recent weeks by postings about patient and public involvement. So be it. But before anyone jumps in to criticise, let me assure you of my belief that it is a 24/7 activity! Friday is often quite an interesting day for news. Press officers will tell … Continue reading PPI Friday
Cuffuffle and coffee
Parliament - that is it's precincts, not those who sit within it - was not designed with the visitor in mind. And, 200 years on from its construction, it has not quite shaken off the perception that it would rather not have to deal with the public. Even the new visitor refreshment area built within the … Continue reading Cuffuffle and coffee
Public attitudes to science survey 2011
Welcome back to those of you who left the rest of us to run the country for two weeks. I must say that I spent the Bank Holiday weekend in a verily good mood having had a quick peek at the results of our annual member survey. This showed that 98% of our members say … Continue reading Public attitudes to science survey 2011
Vital ingredients in the research recipe – Cancer Research UK publishes OHE study
A quick blog this morning to highlight the Cancer Research UK commissioned, Office of Health Economics report published today which looks at the interdependency of public and charity medical research. Cancer Research UK's policy guru, Harriet Teare, gives a commentary on the study and what it means on their blog this morning. The co-dependency of public, charity … Continue reading Vital ingredients in the research recipe – Cancer Research UK publishes OHE study
From research to treatment, AMRC urges progress
If you are looking for AMRC's statement today, pressing the Government to bring forward regulations to license techniques to prevent the hereditary transmission of mitochondrial disease in clinical treatments, then please check out our website. And Becky's policy pages contain a very helpful summary of the issue.
A rest is as good as a change…
UPDATE - so here is the BBC report on Lansley's statement this afternoon. The 'natural break' in proceedings would seem an opportune moment for AMRC and senior leaders across clinical research to press to meet with Ministers and discuss some of the reforms that would help the legislation be a force for good for research. Watch … Continue reading A rest is as good as a change…
A 'silver cloud' with a dark lining? – medical research charities in the recession
I suspect you may have seen the bleak forecast made by charity chief executives in the latest National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) survey published today. 97% of those surveyed said they expected economic conditions to be negative and 55% advised that they would be reducing their staff. Tough times indeed. And so this seems an opportune moment … Continue reading A 'silver cloud' with a dark lining? – medical research charities in the recession
Carry on up science
'Infamy, infamy, they've got it in for me!' So said Kenneth Williams in 'Carry on Up Pompeii.' The Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, could be forgiven for pacing his office floor muttering the same words such are the column inches appearing each day about his NHS reforms. Anyway, I am looking forward to our … Continue reading Carry on up science
Brain science across the EU
I am posting this just because I thought it was a thoroughly absorbing and interesting overview of what is happening in brain science across the European Union (EU) and how mental health reseach will be positively impacted by the European Commission's recently announced resarch funding reforms: Máire Geoghegan-Quinn Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Brain … Continue reading Brain science across the EU
And the prize goes to..AMRC announces 2011 Science Communication Award winners
To find out which AMRC member charities collected the prizes at our Science Communication Awards event last night please go to our website. Congratulations to them all on behalf of AMRC, our excellent judges and sponsors! And time permits me to also briefly mention the review which has appeared on BioNews of our stem cell … Continue reading And the prize goes to..AMRC announces 2011 Science Communication Award winners
Communication is all you need….
So we are a few days into National Science and Engineering week which lasts until the 20th March. The theme of this year's week is 'Communications.' Yesterday afternoon I had the good fortune of seeing one of the performances of 'Mind the Gap' being put on this week at the Royal Albert Hall (RAH) by … Continue reading Communication is all you need….
CMO England..and Wales
AMRC's warmest congratulations to Dame Sally Davies, currently Director of R&D at the Department of Health, on her appointment as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England. I wasn't quite sure from the news release whether Dame Sally will continue to hold the R&D portfolio as she has been doing since becoming interim CMO. Anyway, all … Continue reading CMO England..and Wales
Wellcome Trust Image Awards 2011…and kidney disease survey
I was unable to get to the Wellcome Trust Image Awards last night so as recompense I am posting the link to the online gallery of winning photos. The picture of the kidney transplant by David Bishop from UCL Medical School is my favourite and got a special award. This also gives me an opportunity … Continue reading Wellcome Trust Image Awards 2011…and kidney disease survey
Willing providers
I notice that Frank Dobson MP had a parliamentary question answered yesterday about research in the new NHS. He asked whether, under the Health and Social Care Bill, 'willing providers' (the new term for those organisations including Trusts and independent organisations providing care) would be under a duty to recruit patients to clinical trials. In … Continue reading Willing providers
A letter from Cornwall
Last week I was lamenting the demise of the Royal Society's science book award. The growth in science literature - fiction or non-fiction - has not been matched with recognisable awards. Happily AMRC's Science Communication Awards recognising the very best in charity science communication do live on. I hope you will visit our - website … Continue reading A letter from Cornwall
Stem cell research and charities
The world has gone consultation mad. Another two dropped into my inbox yesterday. I'm seriously considering booking myself into consultation rehab. A few days off next week will at least allow me to undergo an intensive consultation detox programme in the meantime. For those of you who have set aside today to write a response to … Continue reading Stem cell research and charities
The NHS reforms and patients…and EU research shake-up?
Science fear not. Those of you disappointed that the EU summit on 4th Feb only got round to the subject of 'innovation' at a late hour and to little discussion should take heart from the fact that patients have been used to being at the end of a conference/meeting agenda etc for most of the … Continue reading The NHS reforms and patients…and EU research shake-up?
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