Data and its use for society's benefit is one of the areas where we are now seeing rapid developments in both practice and policy. And not just in terms of health care or medical research. I thought I'd link-up a few of the announcements and news items that have happened just this past week to give people … Continue reading A few bytes and bobs of news about medical records, open data etc – the Danish are not just good at making drama
medical research
Have charities really put the brakes on public involvement in research?
I was pulled-over by the police on the M25 on Sunday night. Unbeknown to me, my car brake lights had failed so that they were permanently on. Quite apart from blinding any traffic on my tail, an unwitting driver could easily have mis-read my intentions with who knows what consequences. Thankfully that didn't happen. And by … Continue reading Have charities really put the brakes on public involvement in research?
Social media and medical research, a story from Oz
I am in international mood today. From the United States to Australia. Unfortunately not via Hawaii. This was sent to me this morning and it's basically a report of a paper appearing in the Journal of Internet Medical Research about the viability of using social media in medical research. Interesting snapshot discussion around the pitfalls - i.e. … Continue reading Social media and medical research, a story from Oz
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
Social care research opportunities
We don't talk nearly enough about social care research. I sometimes wonder whether we have 'over-medicalised' the health research agenda at times, so that all we shout about are new medicines and treatments - me included. It is a trend that seems counter to the needs of our society and also the changes in the … Continue reading Social care research opportunities
I’ve got a pile of irony to do tonight – from Scottish independence to NHS reform
On my train journey from Edinburgh this morning, I listened to a BBC Radio Scotland phone-in about the implications of Scottish independence. The intricacies of a possible de-coupling from the UK are fascinating - from the economy to people's pensions, to the NHS. I've yet to read an article written specifically about the pros and cons … Continue reading I’ve got a pile of irony to do tonight – from Scottish independence to NHS reform
Charities wade in on Leveson and media reporting of science
The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) together with Cancer Research UK and Wellcome Trust have this afternoon published their response to the Leveson inquiry into the culture, practice and ethics of the press. See first item listed under 2012 on this page at the AMRC website. The submission makes good points and I learnt … Continue reading Charities wade in on Leveson and media reporting of science
A 'silver cloud' with a dark lining? – medical research charities in the recession
I suspect you may have seen the bleak forecast made by charity chief executives in the latest National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) survey published today. 97% of those surveyed said they expected economic conditions to be negative and 55% advised that they would be reducing their staff. Tough times indeed. And so this seems an opportune moment … Continue reading A 'silver cloud' with a dark lining? – medical research charities in the recession
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
Science at the Conservative Party Conference
Two down, one to go. Here's science related 'matter' at the Conservative Party Conference which starts in Birmingham tomorrow. Birmingham University was of course the venue for the Science Minister, David Willett's, first speech after taking office. I am looking forward to being one of the hosts when he joins us for a roundtable breakfast … Continue reading Science at the Conservative Party Conference
Coming down to earth – regulators, dementia taxes, collaboration and new generation politics
I think it was Simon Carr in the Independent who said that Ed Milliband opened his arms at the beginning of his speech as if welcoming the assembled earthlings to his world. I certainly feel as though I have come back down to earth today. An early train back to London from Manchester to a … Continue reading Coming down to earth – regulators, dementia taxes, collaboration and new generation politics
Charity research in the recession
Today's article in the Law Society Gazette ('Charities may be in for a difficult year, but there remains cause for hope') prompts me to report on the results of AMRC's latest survey of its member charities and how they are faring in the recession. As you may remember AMRC's survey in March last year attracted … Continue reading Charity research in the recession
Science Debate
The defining difference between national preparedness for snow in a country such as the US and one that is less so, like the UK, is this: in the States they carry snow chains in their car; in the UK we carry cat litter if we are lucky. Preparedness - and more specifically preparedness for Government - is … Continue reading Science Debate
Patient consent and research
A colleague in the office sent me a link this week to a piece by Professor Anthony Mathur on the BBC Online's 'Scrubbing Up' pages in which he argues that if people want treatment for a heart problem, they should be obliged to take part in the research. The very same day I got home to a … Continue reading Patient consent and research
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
Filling the void
It's not like me to blog twice in as many days. However, this is just a short piece you will no doubt be pleased to know. All I wanted to do was alert you to the launch of the 'Research Mental Health' Declaration and campaign yesterday. The initiative is aimed at pushing the need for … Continue reading Filling the void
Time to open up about industry
Every so often a story and resulting furore crops up in the media about charities, patient groups and their closeneness to industry and, in particular, pharmaceutical companies. Journalists and the public will quite rightly ask: is it in the public interest? I can well remember my first encounter with big pharma in my early days … Continue reading Time to open up about industry
Not another article about partnership
The term 'partnership' is now scattered liberally through the narrative we all use for the way in which we work - either as organisations or as individuals. The highly inventive among us occasionally substitute it with 'collaboration' or even the more arcane 'working together,' but partnership is in the ascendant in every sense. But I am beginning to … Continue reading Not another article about partnership
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
'….and charities'
A huge tome literally fell into my lap this morning. So heavy was the 151 page brochure from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) that it broke through the botton of the envelope in which it was sent. Coincidentally as I began to flick through its glossy pages this morning, the Office for … Continue reading '….and charities'
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