Helen Ward
@profhelenward.bsky.social
Prof Public Health Imperial College. she/her. Social, genetic & environmental factors in health. Research & advocacy in long COVID, STI/HIV, inequalities. Patient Experience Research Centre
Pinned
Helen Ward
@profhelenward.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Graphic stories of the impact of Long COVID on people's lives, produced from words of many people and illustrated by Monique Jackson as part of the REACT study.
www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/res...
www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/res...
Reposted by Helen Ward
As the COVID Enquiry reports now, some of use made these points at the time
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We scientists said lock down. But UK politicians refused to listen | Helen Ward
For 11 fateful days in March, the government ignored the best coronavirus advice, says public health professor Helen Ward
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:09 PM
As the COVID Enquiry reports now, some of use made these points at the time
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
As the COVID Enquiry reports now, some of use made these points at the time
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We scientists said lock down. But UK politicians refused to listen | Helen Ward
For 11 fateful days in March, the government ignored the best coronavirus advice, says public health professor Helen Ward
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:09 PM
As the COVID Enquiry reports now, some of use made these points at the time
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
2 weeks to read this before meeting up with the author!! @matthewcobb.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 4:46 PM
2 weeks to read this before meeting up with the author!! @matthewcobb.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Ward
Fresh call, from @rcn.org.uk and @bma.org.uk,
to recognise #LongCovid as occupational disease for #nurses
www.nursinginpractice.com/clinical/res...
to recognise #LongCovid as occupational disease for #nurses
www.nursinginpractice.com/clinical/res...
Fresh call to recognise long Covid as occupational disease for nurses
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and British Medical Association (BMA) have jointly criticised the government's inaction on long Covid
www.nursinginpractice.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Fresh call, from @rcn.org.uk and @bma.org.uk,
to recognise #LongCovid as occupational disease for #nurses
www.nursinginpractice.com/clinical/res...
to recognise #LongCovid as occupational disease for #nurses
www.nursinginpractice.com/clinical/res...
Reposted by Helen Ward
Excellent news.
🙏 Thank you to all who campaigned for the National Covid Memorial to be preserved.
🙏 Thank you to all who campaigned for the National Covid Memorial to be preserved.
The volunteers were at Parliament today to hear the government announce that our beautiful memorial is to be made permanent. It was an emotional day, as we have fought so long and hard to ensure that our beloved dead are not forgotten. We are grateful and happy. ❤️
November 13, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Excellent news.
🙏 Thank you to all who campaigned for the National Covid Memorial to be preserved.
🙏 Thank you to all who campaigned for the National Covid Memorial to be preserved.
This
Presenting our poster with recommendations in patient involvement at the 48th IHF World Hospital Congress in Geneva. The poster is about the unimedsuisse project with all university hospitals. We probably still have way to go.
November 11, 2025 at 11:28 AM
This
This is the statue that the king has apparently removed from Kew Gardens and public view
November 10, 2025 at 8:56 PM
This is the statue that the king has apparently removed from Kew Gardens and public view
Reposted by Helen Ward
OK, I have set up a Substack and posted an article there going into much more detail about Francis Crick and the poet Michael McClure. If the link between science and art is your thing, or you just like psychedelic poetry, have a read:
The Powerful Knowledge: How the Poetry of Michael McClure Influenced the Scientist Francis Crick
In July 1959, the co-discoverer of the DNA double helix, Francis Crick, took a psychedelic trip on peyote through the power of poetry.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
OK, I have set up a Substack and posted an article there going into much more detail about Francis Crick and the poet Michael McClure. If the link between science and art is your thing, or you just like psychedelic poetry, have a read:
Reposted by Helen Ward
UK publication day for this wrist-spraining beauty! Appropriately, I’m travelling to Cambridge, where I’m doing a book launch talk at the LMB tomorrow afternoon.
November 6, 2025 at 6:26 AM
UK publication day for this wrist-spraining beauty! Appropriately, I’m travelling to Cambridge, where I’m doing a book launch talk at the LMB tomorrow afternoon.
Reposted by Helen Ward
The opening paragraph to Crick’s thesis - about protein structure - from July 1953. Ok, he was 37, but even so the writing is so clear. Those last two sentences effectively set out a global research programme that would last decades.
November 6, 2025 at 8:34 AM
The opening paragraph to Crick’s thesis - about protein structure - from July 1953. Ok, he was 37, but even so the writing is so clear. Those last two sentences effectively set out a global research programme that would last decades.
Great review in Nature of new book on Crick by my friend @matthewcobb.bsky.social .
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Sex, drugs and the conscious brain: Francis Crick beyond the double helix
A thoroughly researched account of the history and relationships that shaped the scientist who co-discovered the structure of DNA.
www.nature.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Great review in Nature of new book on Crick by my friend @matthewcobb.bsky.social .
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
New article exploring how Long COVID affects people at work, highlighting the need for adaptable work accommodations to support employment and well‐being.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social @nikki-s.bsky.social @imperialperc.bsky.social @imperialbrc.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social @nikki-s.bsky.social @imperialperc.bsky.social @imperialbrc.bsky.social
“I Put a Lot of Emphasis on Work Because I Want to Keep My Job”: A Population‐Based Interview Study of Long Covid and Employment Changes in England
You have to enable JavaScript in your browser's settings in order to use the eReader.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:05 PM
New article exploring how Long COVID affects people at work, highlighting the need for adaptable work accommodations to support employment and well‐being.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social @nikki-s.bsky.social @imperialperc.bsky.social @imperialbrc.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social @nikki-s.bsky.social @imperialperc.bsky.social @imperialbrc.bsky.social
Why do you call Israeli people held illegally in Gaza “hostages”, but call Palestinian people illegally held in Israel (without charge or trial) “detainees”? @c4news.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Why do you call Israeli people held illegally in Gaza “hostages”, but call Palestinian people illegally held in Israel (without charge or trial) “detainees”? @c4news.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Ward
And here we are. Another damn’d thick, square book. A real wrist-sprainer. UK edition (pictured) has endpapers showing Crick and Brenner’s blackboard and colour plates. Both U.K. and US editions have sections heralded by a double page photo as here. Loads of illustrations. Out in November!
September 26, 2025 at 9:36 AM
And here we are. Another damn’d thick, square book. A real wrist-sprainer. UK edition (pictured) has endpapers showing Crick and Brenner’s blackboard and colour plates. Both U.K. and US editions have sections heralded by a double page photo as here. Loads of illustrations. Out in November!
First pic of the moon tonight
September 7, 2025 at 6:54 PM
First pic of the moon tonight
Reposted by Helen Ward
Enough is enough. The health of the country is in danger. Read our resignation letters: insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
Breaking News: Read three top CDC officials' resignation emails.
The end of an era.
insidemedicine.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Enough is enough. The health of the country is in danger. Read our resignation letters: insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
Reposted by Helen Ward
Yes, this is what Starmer should say, but he won't. Because Labour does not dare acknowledge what is obvious to everyone - Brexit was a disaster. Instead, it obediently follows the tramlines set out by May and Johnson, eyed from the sidelines by the Red Wall oldies, the Mail and the Telegraph.
The ever-eloquent @rafaelbehr.bsky.social pointedly refusing to mince his words on what Farage has done for us. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
August 27, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Yes, this is what Starmer should say, but he won't. Because Labour does not dare acknowledge what is obvious to everyone - Brexit was a disaster. Instead, it obediently follows the tramlines set out by May and Johnson, eyed from the sidelines by the Red Wall oldies, the Mail and the Telegraph.
Interesting critique of growing group-think that COVID policies did no good, only harm. Pandemic armchair epidemiologists seem to think public health is about certainty. In reality it's about managing uncertainty. All interventions do harm, some also do some good
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
COVID Revisionism Has Gone Too Far
If the center and left succumb to the view that “nothing worked,” no one will remain to defend sensible public-health measures the next time a pandemic comes around.
www.theatlantic.com
August 26, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Interesting critique of growing group-think that COVID policies did no good, only harm. Pandemic armchair epidemiologists seem to think public health is about certainty. In reality it's about managing uncertainty. All interventions do harm, some also do some good
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
We set up the Imperial Patient Experience Research Centre (ERC) 14 years ago (!) to promote participatory approaches to improving healthcare and biomedical research. And we've finally got our own Linkedin page - give us a follow www.linkedin.com/company/impe...
LinkedIn Login, Sign in | LinkedIn
Login to LinkedIn to keep in touch with people you know, share ideas, and build your career.
www.linkedin.com
August 12, 2025 at 10:36 AM
We set up the Imperial Patient Experience Research Centre (ERC) 14 years ago (!) to promote participatory approaches to improving healthcare and biomedical research. And we've finally got our own Linkedin page - give us a follow www.linkedin.com/company/impe...
Congratulations Jeremy!
Big congratulations to Prof Jeremy Levy, appointed Associate Dean of the @nihr.bsky.social Research Academy (Integrated Pathways) 🥳
He’ll be championing #academic careers for #doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and more.
Read more 👉 www.nihr.ac.uk/news/nihr-ap... @imperialnhs.bsky.social
He’ll be championing #academic careers for #doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and more.
Read more 👉 www.nihr.ac.uk/news/nihr-ap... @imperialnhs.bsky.social
July 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Congratulations Jeremy!
Reposted by Helen Ward
Prof Lord Ara Darzi, writing in @observeruk.bsky.social, warns that axing the Fleming Fund, Britain’s landmark antimicrobial resistance initiative ( #AMR ), would be a deadly retreat.
With 5 million annual global deaths, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
With 5 million annual global deaths, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
‘Bacteria knows no borders. The UK and Fleming Fund must ...
The planned dismantling of the world’s largest fund to fight antimicrobial resistance could contribute to millions of deaths worldwide
observer.co.uk
July 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Prof Lord Ara Darzi, writing in @observeruk.bsky.social, warns that axing the Fleming Fund, Britain’s landmark antimicrobial resistance initiative ( #AMR ), would be a deadly retreat.
With 5 million annual global deaths, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
With 5 million annual global deaths, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Helen Ward
1.5 million Gazans is 75% of the population, half of whom are children.
This is *deliberate* starvation. Just one agency - UNRWA - has stated today it has enough food stockpiled outside the border to feed the population for months.
The Israeli govt must let food and water in & stop the killing.
This is *deliberate* starvation. Just one agency - UNRWA - has stated today it has enough food stockpiled outside the border to feed the population for months.
The Israeli govt must let food and water in & stop the killing.
“I'm only asking for a piece of bread... that's all," a 17-year-old boy at al-Shifa hospital tells the BBC, as food security body the IPC warns more than 1.5 million Gazans are at risk of severe malnutrition/ starvation.
Nearly 500,000 are considered to be facing “catastrophe.”
Nearly 500,000 are considered to be facing “catastrophe.”
July 21, 2025 at 9:29 PM
1.5 million Gazans is 75% of the population, half of whom are children.
This is *deliberate* starvation. Just one agency - UNRWA - has stated today it has enough food stockpiled outside the border to feed the population for months.
The Israeli govt must let food and water in & stop the killing.
This is *deliberate* starvation. Just one agency - UNRWA - has stated today it has enough food stockpiled outside the border to feed the population for months.
The Israeli govt must let food and water in & stop the killing.
Reposted by Helen Ward
“this £85 billion represents a direct transfer of value from the public to private owners — a sum extracted while storm overflows proliferated, leakage targets were missed, and river health declined”
July 21, 2025 at 7:29 AM
“this £85 billion represents a direct transfer of value from the public to private owners — a sum extracted while storm overflows proliferated, leakage targets were missed, and river health declined”
Reposted by Helen Ward
This is how it looks when a Sea Anemone runs away from a Starfish.
July 19, 2025 at 3:52 PM
This is how it looks when a Sea Anemone runs away from a Starfish.
“Each child was holding a water bucket, lying dead in place, covered in their own blood”
There is no justification for the continued Israeli genocide in Gaza. How can our government continue to arm these Zionist thugs?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
There is no justification for the continued Israeli genocide in Gaza. How can our government continue to arm these Zionist thugs?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Killing of young siblings at Gaza water point shows seeking life’s essentials now a deadly peril
Karam al-Ghussain, 9, and Lulu, 10, were fetching water from a nearby distribution station when an Israeli strike hit it, and them
www.theguardian.com
July 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
“Each child was holding a water bucket, lying dead in place, covered in their own blood”
There is no justification for the continued Israeli genocide in Gaza. How can our government continue to arm these Zionist thugs?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
There is no justification for the continued Israeli genocide in Gaza. How can our government continue to arm these Zionist thugs?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...