The results of the annual cancer patient experience survey are out today. For those of us committed to improving patient access to clinical trials and other research, this year's report is particularly interesting. As far as I know, this is the first year that the survey asked patients whether taking part in research had been discussed … Continue reading Cancer patient experience survey results show variations in access to clinical trials and research
Andrew Lansley
Smart guides to public and patient involvement in your local NHS (i.e. Healthwatch, CCGs etc)
Here are four exceptionally useful guides to ensuring good public and patient involvement and engagement in the new local NHS structures such as Healthwatch, CCGs etc. Get smart about engagement series introduction Engagement for commissioning success Working with lay members and patient representatives Working with LINks and local HealthWatch My sense is that CCGs are … Continue reading Smart guides to public and patient involvement in your local NHS (i.e. Healthwatch, CCGs etc)
Entitled to a title? Should we better recognise members of the public and patients involved in research?
Various reports today about the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley MP's, statement in response to a question today in the Commons that he is working to introduce an 'effective compliance regime' to ensure local NHS organisations implement NICE recommendations. Those with children will no doubt empathise. I'm not sure that as a statement … Continue reading Entitled to a title? Should we better recognise members of the public and patients involved in research?
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
From I Claudius to iLansley…phone apps in the new NHS
The summer break has clearly done the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, a world of good. From beating a lone path as the libertarian Claudius in the face of a centralised health service, he has resurfaced this week as the man for all seasons to launch a competition for the best ideas for … Continue reading From I Claudius to iLansley…phone apps in the new NHS
Government gets the message on research in NHS reforms
From the NIHR website today following the Government's response to yesterday's publication of the NHS Future Forum conclusions. A real result as far as I can see with regard to excess treatment costs as well as the strengthening of the duties and responsibilities to promote research in different parts of the NHS structure. Very good … Continue reading Government gets the message on research in NHS reforms
Department of Health about to have a Field day taking calls, I believe.
The NHS seems to be dominating my life this week. Quite apart from the news headlines, it has involved two visits to the doctors and a blood test so far ..but I am on the mend I am pleased to report. All I can say is, a 45 minute wait for a blood test and excellent … Continue reading Department of Health about to have a Field day taking calls, I believe.
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
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?
Second Reading of the Health and Social Care Bill: An open letter to MPs
Dear Member of Parliament, This afternoon the Health and Social Care Bill will recieve its Second Reading in the House of Commons. The legislation sets out a far-reaching programme for reforming the NHS and the provision of patient care. The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and its 127 member charities believe that high quality … Continue reading Second Reading of the Health and Social Care Bill: An open letter to MPs
Health and social care reforms on trial
What better starting point for today's blog than the comments of two leading clinicians speaking about the importance of clinical trials to patient outcomes. First, Dr Duncan Wheatley, a Clinical Oncologist and Lead for Research in the South West Peninsula, who is quoted in a BBC Cornwall story today about medical research at the Royal … Continue reading Health and social care reforms on trial
More on NHS Bill
'Onmedica' are running a good round-up of comments on the Health and Social Care Bill.
Health and Social Care Bill Published
After days of incessant pounding by critics and opponents the Government brushed itself down today and published its Health and Social Care Bill. The text of the legislation can be found on the parliament website. It is a titanic Bill - 353 pages, 137 clauses, 22 schedules long - and the vagaries of our parliamentary … Continue reading Health and Social Care Bill Published
Getting touchy over the information revolution
Over the holidays I caught a BBC Radio 4 item about the days of the touch typist. It was one of those gems of broadcasting which looked through a narrow lens to tell the listener much about how the world has changed. It also brought back many memories of my time as a messenger at the old … Continue reading Getting touchy over the information revolution
NHS white paper next steps
Some of you may know that today was being dubbed 'Super Wednesday' by some because today is the day that the Department of Health has set out its response to the consultation on the NHS White Paper 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS.' The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has very helpfully published an … Continue reading NHS white paper next steps
The Public health white paper – a new school of thought
'Healthy Lives, Healthy People,' the White Paper on public health has been published and is available on the Department of Health website. The news release sets out the Secretary of State's 'ladder of intervention' - from the rather refreshingly titled 'do nothing' up to 'eliminate choice altogether' - which sound like the different states of readiness one … Continue reading The Public health white paper – a new school of thought
Up a ladder with the public health white paper
If you refuse to walk under, or indeed climb, ladders then this blog is not for you. The public health white paper is to be launched tomorrow (Tuesday). There has been much trailing of various proposals that will likely appear in the document - from providing vouchers to school children who walk to school, to a … Continue reading Up a ladder with the public health white paper
Andrew Lansley in No10
Not because he has taken over as PM I hasten to add but because he will be popping over there to do an online Q&A tomorrow, Thursday 22nd Juy, about the Health White Paper. Details on the No10 website here.
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 