What is the RAPID Eczema Trials project?

Researchers always wear white lab coats? Obviously, that is a stereotype, which is seldom correct.  They are generally indistinguishable for the rest of the population.  Open minded, curious, careful and rigorous.  And with this “citizen science” project, the researchers can be anybody who has lived experience of eczema. Amazement, disbelief and excitement hit all of …

50 at 50: Ian Hall: Reflections on 35 Years in Medicine

In 1985 I successfully applied for a medical registrar position in Nottingham.  I had decided respiratory medicine was going to be my chosen specialty, and Nottingham had a good reputation for its training programme.  I’d never been to the city before I was appointed, and intended to stay for a couple of years then move on, but apart from a …

50 at 50: No research about me without me! Welcoming the patient and public voice to research

A lot has happened in healthcare and research over the last 50 years since the University of Nottingham Medical School was born. Not just in breakthrough treatments and diagnostics, blockbuster drug development and in tackling our first pandemic since 1918; but also in opening up medicine and healthcare to include the views and experiences of …

50 at 50: Reflections on directing the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme and being a Welsh sheepdog during the pandemic

On September 30th 2020, I stepped down as the Director of the NIHR HTA Programme after five very busy years. To set the scene, The NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme sits within the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)  – the UK’s largest funder of health and social care research funded by the UK Government. HTA is the largest NIHR Programme and in 2018/19, it supported 584 live projects …