A new paediatric clinical research facility has opened today at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool. Funding has come from the university, an Alder Hey appeal, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). A very important development for children and their parents and the region's growing profile as a hub of nationwide efforts to improve child health. Click … Continue reading New paediatric research facility opens at Alder Hey
clinical research
We need more than better chat-up lines to increase participation in research
'Pedestrian freight.' It is a term I had not come across until last week. I believe it is the phrase once used inside train companies to describe you and I, the commuters who throng with fortitude through our stations up and down the land every day. Perhaps it still is, I don't know. Such 'internal' phrases can … Continue reading We need more than better chat-up lines to increase participation in research
Exploring the partnership between patients and researchers – photography exhibition at UCH, London.
If you are at a loose end between now and the end of June, then this exhibition at the Street Gallery of University College Hospital looks well worth the visit. Award winning photographer Clare Parks joined forces with researchers and patients to explore their feelings about clinical research in photographs. The images are really quite … Continue reading Exploring the partnership between patients and researchers – photography exhibition at UCH, London.
NHS research up close and personal: ‘Research People’ site tells the stories behind the story
Returned from half-term leave today thinking that I might write about the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) patient experience survey. After a while looking at the results I began to think: is there a good reason why there isn't a patient 'out of body experience' survey conducted and published? It might come closer to the … Continue reading NHS research up close and personal: ‘Research People’ site tells the stories behind the story
The duty falls on all of us to issue that wake-up call to the NHS about its research mission
Last week, medical research charities among others hailed a series of Government amendments made to the Health and Social Care Bill. These place 'a strong duty across the Secretary of State, the NHS Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups to promote research and the use of research evidence.' The amendments are in response to persistent lobbying; their … Continue reading The duty falls on all of us to issue that wake-up call to the NHS about its research mission
Research is for life: making research part and parcel of the patient journey
I was very privileged to be asked to give the Furlong Christmas Lecture a few weeks ago. I hope this doesn't seem egotistical but here's the text of that lecture amended with useful links etc - it touches on and rehearses themes that will be familiar to those of you who have visited the blog … Continue reading Research is for life: making research part and parcel of the patient journey
Obama goes troubleshooting on clinical trials
Is it me or does anyone else think that No 10 could have perhaps chosen more wisely its choice of title for the new army of individuals who David Cameron says will help 'trouble' families: 'troubleshooters' doesn't sound quite right? This only a week after No 10 made a complete hash of the 24 hours … Continue reading Obama goes troubleshooting on clinical trials
How’s your NHS Trust doing in the research league tables? Is Leeds the Man City of NHS Research? Does Bridgewater deserve the hairdrier treatment?
So NIHR CRN CC/The Guardian have today published a league table of how each NHS Trust is performing in research as defined by the number of research studies and the number of patients taking part. I believe this is the first time such a table has been compiled and a thoroughly good thing it is … Continue reading How’s your NHS Trust doing in the research league tables? Is Leeds the Man City of NHS Research? Does Bridgewater deserve the hairdrier treatment?
Patients, ethics committees and clinical research – NRES/INVOLVE report highlights ‘public’ challenge for new health research regulator (HRA)
Sometimes you are just defeated by the brilliance of others. So, if you are looking for a wonderful summary of what the autumn statement means for health research, then I can highly recommend Becky's Policy Pages. Clearly, the opening up of health data is the single most important strategic announcement in today's statement - much … Continue reading Patients, ethics committees and clinical research – NRES/INVOLVE report highlights ‘public’ challenge for new health research regulator (HRA)
International leaders in cancer research in conversation and a new Channel 4 video on clinical trials
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has a rather nifty web-page at the moment with various leading lights in cancer research talking about cancer therapeutics. They include Bob Brown, chair, translational oncology, Imperial College London. And hear is a rather nifty video explaining drug trials done by Channel 4. Just click on the picture … Continue reading International leaders in cancer research in conversation and a new Channel 4 video on clinical trials
NHS research culture awards
Given my post yesterday I am delighted to congratulate Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust on winning the Health Service Journal's (HSJ) first ever research culture award last night. The full list of winners and highly commendeds is as follows: Winner: Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust Highly Commended: Portsmouth Hospitals … Continue reading NHS research culture awards
You cluster if you want to…the single most important translational gap in UK clinical research today
A colleague of mine put up two slides at a meeting today which neatly encapsulated for me the key strategic - perhaps translational gap - in uk clinical research right now. On the demand side, the first showed the key results from the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) commissioned MORI poll of public attitudes … Continue reading You cluster if you want to…the single most important translational gap in UK clinical research today
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
Democratising research
So I thought you might be interested in my thoughts on innovation and public involvement that I shared with the audience at the PatientsParticipate! conference at the British Library on Friday afternoon. The real star of the show thought was patient advocate, Graham Steele, who gave us an absorbing tour of social media and public … Continue reading Democratising research
‘Scroll down’ for clinical trials
To begin with, here's more on that Pfizer story about use of mobile phone technology etc in clinical trials. It seems to have piqued an interest among many of you anyway. Also on the subject of clinical trials, I was rather perplexed by this story running out of the NHS Confederation this morning. I'm delighted … Continue reading ‘Scroll down’ for clinical trials
Clinical trials on the world stage
I shall no doubt wax lyrical about something later in the day but for the moment, given that it is Friday, I would highly recommend this article/special report by Ben Hirschler of Reuters on the challenges and opportunities inherent in the globalisation of clinical trials. And while I am at it, special mention of the … Continue reading Clinical trials on the world stage
Some reflections on the vCJD blood test story
The BBC's Fergus Walsh wrote an excellent blog this week about the prototype blood test for vCJD (Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease). But there is another story implicit behind it that is worth telling - what has been achieved through the fortitude of patients and scientists working together in the face of insurmountable odds. I can not do justice … Continue reading Some reflections on the vCJD blood test story
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'
An Open Letter to David Cameron
Dear David, I was pleased to read your speech at the Royal College of Pathologists earlier this week setting out your vision for the NHS and your five priorities for a Department of Public Health were you to form the next Government. Many us will be pleased to see you and your front bench colleagues … Continue reading An Open Letter to David Cameron
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