Respected Times columnist, Libby Purves, took aim last week at the campaigning work of charities (see article (pay-wall)). As did Chris Snowdon, a fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), who wrote this piece in CITYA.M. Both appear to share a romanticised view of charity in which charities would be better 'seen and not heard.' And through a soft-focus lens at … Continue reading Charities should be often seen and loudly heard.
government
The UK has a lorra lorra data and this is how it’s handling it in medical research
Last week Dame Fiona Caldicott published her report on information governance in health and social care (Caldicott2). Dame Fiona is characteristically down-to-earth in this Guardian interview about the need to get people used to the idea of sharing data if they are to see further benefits from medical research. You can read the full report here and, … Continue reading The UK has a lorra lorra data and this is how it’s handling it in medical research
If NZ can do this why can’t we?
I get the feeling that this might not go down well. But I noticed this on the 'wires' this evening and you really have to say: 'why not?' The New Zealand Government is launching a $1million advertising campaign next month in which the public will be asked to help identify the scientific challenges which should … Continue reading If NZ can do this why can’t we?
PM’s Global Health Policy Summit Speech signals the personal as well as phenomenal
You can find the full text of the Prime Minister's speech at the Global Health Policy Summit in London today here. David Cameron's remarks have caught the headlines because of his announcement about the new Phenome Centre. But, as important, are a number of other areas of his speech. These deal with the importance of the … Continue reading PM’s Global Health Policy Summit Speech signals the personal as well as phenomenal
The Academy reports on research regulation…and a reminder of the Guardian’s Q&A about public involvement
The Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) today published its report of the meeting it held a few months ago, looking at progress with improving the regulatory of environment for medical research. I blogged about being a panellist at the meeting as you may recall. The report's conclusions are noteworthy for the second bullet point about public … Continue reading The Academy reports on research regulation…and a reminder of the Guardian’s Q&A about public involvement
Science interviews: Tooke goes collaborative, and Glover is not overcome by emotion
I thought the following interviews might be of general interest. Both are with recently appointed science leaders. Both, among other things, major on the need for greater collaboration in research. Times Higher Educational Supplement (THES) interviews the new President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Sir John Tooke. Sir John chaired the discussion panel I was … Continue reading Science interviews: Tooke goes collaborative, and Glover is not overcome by emotion
EU initiative to boost information for patients on medicines development
The EU economy might be splintering apart. But, meanwhile, a number of patient/public/private organisations are 'euro-zoning' in on the task of providing better information for patients on medicines development. The new initiative - which was launched on 1st February - is called the European Patients Academy on Therapeutic Innovation or EUPATI for short. Thank goodness they did … Continue reading EU initiative to boost information for patients on medicines development
[The definite article] and why it stands in the way of a definitive plan for UK science
****you might also like to read William Cullerne Bown's analysis of the Science Minister's speech referred to in this blog and which appeared on the same day as that below*** Yesterday the Royal Society posted on its website the full text of Lord Rees' Christmas Lecture to the Science and Policy Research Centre. Its worth a … Continue reading [The definite article] and why it stands in the way of a definitive plan for UK science
Technology pulll-through in research and the role of the public
Next week I shall be taking part in my first meeting as a lay member of NIHR's 'Invention 4 Innovation' programme. I have had a number of conversations with people recently about how patients are and should be involved in the field of what is jargonistically called 'technology pull' - getting new technologies into health … Continue reading Technology pulll-through in research and the role of the public
'Health research cuts'
Today's 'exclusive' in the The Times online headlined 'Cancer research at risk in scramble for care funds' has caused understandable concern and outrage. It is an interesting piece based on comments made to The Times by the Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham MP. But some background may help us get a better perspective on … Continue reading 'Health research cuts'
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
Sums and summitry
Yesterday 30 top scientists called for a tripling of Government expenditure on research into dementia - you may have heard some of them being interviewed on news programmes during the day. Their call was timed to coincide with a day-long summit organised by the Department of Health and Medical Research Council (MRC) which brought together … Continue reading Sums and summitry
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 