It is said that when Robert Sherman sat down to write 'A Spoonful of Sugar' he was inspired by his children's tale of being given their polio vaccine on a sugar cube. The iconic song from Mary Poppins, lyrically captures a moment in time when the relationship between society, medicine and research was a more … Continue reading Mary Poppins no longer has the answers in medicine – for either doctor or patient
CMO
We need to get personal about ‘antibiotic resistance’ if we want the public to help fight infection @wellcometrust
The Wellcome Trust have this morning put out the results of a very interesting study about public understanding of antibiotic resistance. The research by Good Business found that people struggle with what the term 'antibiotic resistance' means, and are more comfortable with alternative terms such as “drug-resistant infections” or “antibiotic-resistant germs." Also that, because of the … Continue reading We need to get personal about ‘antibiotic resistance’ if we want the public to help fight infection @wellcometrust
The best thing since sliced bread? Mobile phone technology and public health.
A curious story caught my eye in the Sunday Telegraph. It told how High Street retailers are sending adverts and money-off coupons to the mobile phones of passers-by. Soon, they hope to be able to track people through their shops; when they pass the sock counter or the delicatessen they'll get more messages about the … Continue reading The best thing since sliced bread? Mobile phone technology and public health.
Top NIHR researchers speak out about importance of public involvement in research
This has got a bit lost in the hurly burly of the last few days. It is important that it does not remain so. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigators - of which there are around 200 I believe - are the very best of the very best researchers across the organisation. NIHR … Continue reading Top NIHR researchers speak out about importance of public involvement in research
NIHR Friday: BioResource launch has volunteers at its heart
Delighted to see today's announcement by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) of the new NIHR BioResource. The importance of the new BioResource (the main website for the BioResource is here) is underlined by the fact that not one Minister but both the Secretary of State for Health, Minister for Health plus the Chief Medical Officer, Professor … Continue reading NIHR Friday: BioResource launch has volunteers at its heart
NICE makes bold intervention on clinical trials and children
It is great to see our drugs watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), make such a bold statement today that all children and young people with cancer should be given the opportunity to take part in clinical trials and research. The statement, which is one of seven making up NICE's 'Quality … Continue reading NICE makes bold intervention on clinical trials and children
250 words on Genomics England
So this feels to me as though common sense has been snatched from the jaws of defeat at the feet of academia. The initial announcement of a 'genome mapping initiative' by the Prime Minister in December was followed by not very convincing noises about the shape of things to come. Indeed, I fired off a … Continue reading 250 words on Genomics England
Michael J Fox? Hugh Grant? Thom Yorke? Who’s next to enter ‘clinical trials get me into it?’
Great launch last night for healthtalkonline's new clinical trials modules in which parents and young people talk about their experiences, warts and all. I think the next module in the offing is on 'Biobanking' with quite a few more in development. It is a strange but true and rather brilliant fact that the actor Hugh … Continue reading Michael J Fox? Hugh Grant? Thom Yorke? Who’s next to enter ‘clinical trials get me into it?’
Dame Sally Davies interview in the FT
Dame Sally Davies, England's new Chief Medical Officer, gives a frank and open interview in today's Financial Times. In it, Dame Sally says that she will continue to play a leadership role with respect to NHS R&D but with perhaps less involvement in the day-to-day running (my interpretation).
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
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 