Who the UK public trusts on science depends on the question
University scientists score highly in a UK survey, while a new global report records a decline in trust since 2020. The findings cover different questions and populations.
Public services
Education, universities and research into health and public services.
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World & context Expert analysis
How one writer’s dilemma led to an international movement
Writing groups modelled on the Shut up and write format have had a big impact on universities and have been carefully studied. However their wider development and impact is less well understood. Jason Murphy and Tyler Shores present a new project aimed at exploring and sharing the many benefits of writing together.
LSE Impact · Jason Murphy and Tyler Shores
Research Published research
The transition to reusable medical products in NHS hospitals in England and Wales: A theoretical domains framework informed qualitative study
The National Health Service (NHS) faces environmental and financial pressures linked to the widespread use of single-use medical devices. Transitioning to reusable alternatives presents an opportunity to reduce waste, carbon emissions, and long-term costs while maintaining clinical outcomes. This study examined the readiness of NHS Trusts and Health Boards across England and Wales, United Kingdom, to adopt high-priority reusable…
PLOS Sustainability and Transformation · Carrie D. Llewellyn, Anya Robinson et al.
Research Published research
Navigating fragmented and contingent support: A qualitative study of British Armed Forces families raising neurodivergent children
British Armed Forces families raising neurodivergent children must coordinate health, education, welfare and informal support within a service context characterised by mobility and deployment. This study examined how families understood, accessed and sustained support, and how these processes shaped caregiving and family life. Twelve parents and caregivers of children aged 3–17 years with diagnosed or suspected neurodevelopmental…
PLOS One · Niko Kargas, Mirena Dimolareva et al.
Research Published research
Respiratory virology dashboards for primary care and public health insight in England
Background: Effective community surveillance of respiratory diseases relies on the timely collection and analysis of high quality clinical and virology data. The aim was to develop interactive dashboards for general practice, public health, and researcher groups. This would improve the visualisation, utilisation, and quality of virology data from an English sentinel network, support disease trend monitoring, early outbreak response, and…
PLOS One · Cecilia Rago, Pushpa Kumarapeli et al.
Research Published research
Exploring health inequalities by language proficiency; A routine health records study set in England
Background: Within the UK, more than a million people cannot speak English well or at all. The lack of data on English proficiency means that the link between English proficiency and health status and care utilisation is not comprehensively quantified. Objective: Describe the association between English proficiency and patients’ health status and healthcare utilisation, and demonstrate that GP data can be useful in understanding the…
PLOS One · Sarah Yeoh, Mai Stafford
Research Published research
Evaluation of short-term multi-target respiratory forecasts over winter 2024-25 in England using sub-ensemble contribution analyses
Background: Epidemic forecasting research often assesses ensembles and their component models using probabilistic scoring rules. Quantifying how individual models affect ensemble performance is challenging, particularly across multiple targets and spatial scales. Methods: We present Winter 2024–25 forecasts of Influenza and COVID-19 hospital admissions in England and conduct a retrospective simulation using the operational component…
PLOS Computational Biology · Jack Kennedy, William Ferguson et al.
Research Published research
Trends in general practitioner dispensing of thickeners in the NHS England, 2019–24
Introduction: Oropharyngeal dysphagia is common and often results in aspiration. Thickeners are widely used to thicken liquids to slow the liquid bolus and prevent aspiration and aspiration pneumonia, despite multiple concerns about their use. To date, there is little data on prescribing/dispensing practices. This study aims to provide the first overview of thickener dispensing practices, serve as foundational material for parties…
PLOS One · Arlene McCurtin, Lindsey Collins et al.