University staff showcase medical research to MPs
30 August 2010
Professor Anna Gilmore, Dr Michelle Sims and Dr Denise Taylor from the University of Bath showcased their medical research to MPs and peers last week at the Westminster reception of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Medical Research.
The event showcased the UK’s excellent medical research base, including the significant contribution made by medical research charities. Guests heard about how by working together, government, charities and the health industries support medical researchers to develop treatments for patients, benefitting society and boosting the economy.
Professor Anna Gilmore and Dr Michelle Sims from the Tobacco Control Research Group presented the poster, 'Can legislation benefit the public’s health: the example of Smokefree England', representing work funded by the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Health Foundation.
Dr Denise Taylor, Senior Teaching Fellow in the Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology presented the poster 'Medicines for dementia - reaching the unmeasured outcomes', representing work funded by the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust.
David Amess, MP, who attended the event, said, “The UK is a world leader in medical research – the public are engaged with research and continuously support our charities, enabling them to fund the best medical research. The discussions I had today were about how collaboration is leading to the development of drugs and treatments that will go onto transform patients’ lives. To ensure that the UK remains at the global forefront of medical research it is important that the Government continues to actively support research and enable researchers to continue their potentially life-saving work”.
Representatives from many of the charities which fund medical research in the UK were present at the reception which was organised by the Association of Medical Research Charities. Simon Denegri, Chief Executive of the Association said:
"I am delighted that so many MPs were able to attend the parliamentary reception today and see how patients and researchers are working together to improve the lives of millions of people through medical and health research. In recent years the public have really put their weight behind research, from giving money to charity to participating in important research such as clinical trials."
