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
Health and Social Care Bill
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
Back to the Future on NHS Reforms
Here's the BBC report on how the Health and Social Care Bill will now be scrutinised following the changes announced a few weeks ago. I think other reports have mentioned people's criticisms of it going back to the committee stage for only ten days in all.
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
Cameron’s High Five
A reminder that David Cameron will be making five pledges on the NHS in a 'keynote' expected this week (possibly tomorrow (Tuesday)). Things like..there will be no privatisation, and an end to waiting lists etc. The Economist's 'Leviathan' blog - which is always worth a look - takes a rather derogatory view of the Prime … Continue reading Cameron’s High Five
Flying in the face of an interregnum
As a self-confessed member of the worried well, I ask that people think carefully before they throw strange words at me. Particularly on the day of a regular visit to my 'prescription-happy' doctor. A colleague asked me this morning how my interregnum was going. It sent me into a momentary panic. Is it treatable I … Continue reading Flying in the face of an interregnum
Back to First Principles with the NHS Reforms
The word on the street is that the Coalition Government is going back to first principles in its review of the proposals in the Health and Social Care Bill. As each day passes, the 'natural break' begins to feel more like gardening leave for a piece of legislation that was supposed to be one of … Continue reading Back to First Principles with the NHS Reforms
International clinical trials day and a bit of mopping-up
It is International Clinical Trials Day today and The Cochrane Library has worked with the UK Medical Research Council's Network of Hubs for Trials Methodology Research to produce a set of new podcasts about clinical trials - well worth a listen. There was a conference in Vienna this morning organised by the European Clinical Research … Continue reading International clinical trials day and a bit of mopping-up
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…
NHS reforms, research and 'localism'
I really would encourage you to read this morning's article in The Guardian about the impact of the NHS reforms on doctor expertise and research. Its the first article that I've seen thus far which really conveys the message about health research that AMRC has been trying to put across and on which we anticipate stepping up … Continue reading NHS reforms, research and 'localism'
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
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
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 