Leonora Merry
@leonoramerry.bsky.social
3.2K followers 1.3K following 240 posts
Director of Comms & External Affairs at Nuffield Trust (@nuffieldtrust.org.uk). Advisory Group, Science Media Centre. Co-founder WonkComms (https://bsky.app/profile/wonkcomms.bsky.social). Mum of 👧🧒 👦. SE Londoner. Views: mine!
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leonoramerry.bsky.social
Important piece here from Sally and LSE's Huseyin Naci, which sets out a different perspective to the vocal calls for the UK Govt to spend more on branded medicines. Well worth a read for anyone trying to make sense of the current drug pricing row
sallygainsbury.bsky.social
Trump and pharma are lobbying gov hard to water-down the NHS’s ability to contain spending on new branded drugs. Today’s long read from me and the LSE’s Huseyin Naci sets out why the gov should hold firm to protect the health of the NHS and UK public nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/th... >>
The tough choices at the heart of the government’s dispute with big pharma
The government has been locked in a dispute with pharmaceutical companies for a number of months over how much the NHS pays for new branded medicines. Sally Gainsbury and Huseyin Naci set out the issu...
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
leonoramerry.bsky.social
The brilliant @theasrstein.bsky.social on the elephant in the room about the NHS - facing trade offs about what *isn’t* possible when the limits of what *could be* possible are endless. At our #Lab25 fringe with @kiranstacey.bsky.social @lewisatkinson.bsky.social & @kingsfundlibrary.bsky.social
Reposted by Leonora Merry
elliemartin.bsky.social
We’re 2 weeks out from the Lords debate on #AssistedDying, so now is the time to start thinking in more detail about how this service would actually work if it becomes legal.

Great to have Nuffield Trust researchers out on the airwaves sharing insights from other countries today.
leonoramerry.bsky.social
Absolutely brilliant job here for a top notch researcher/policy analyst. Join our fantastic team and work on some of the most pressing issues facing public policy in the UK today 👇. Please share with your networks!
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Do you have a track record of producing top quality research and policy analysis?

We are looking to recruit a Senior Fellow to lead on projects across a range of topics within health and care. 👇

#ResearchJobs #ThinkTankJobs #recruiting
Senior Fellow (SF05/25)
We are looking to recruit a Senior Fellow to lead on projects across a range of topics within health and care.
buff.ly
Reposted by Leonora Merry
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
We've updated our explainer on doctors' pay in England 👨‍⚕️

It includes this analysis of real-terms changes to resident doctors' pay since 2010/11.

We also explore longer-term trends in doctors' pay, and how it compares with the wider economy and UK countries.

Read the explainer: buff.ly/sFnmx8x
Reposted by Leonora Merry
kieranwalshe.bsky.social
A must-read on the underlying problems of a life sciences strategy based on selling more (and more expensive) stuff to the NHS, and an NHS plan which envisages saving £££ through efficiencies and prevention. It doesn't add up.
leonoramerry.bsky.social
If you read nothing else on the life sciences strategy and ten year heath plan, read this. Beautifully written, clearly argued and really important thinking from the brilliant @sallygainsbury.bsky.social 👇
leonoramerry.bsky.social
A decade working with @nigel-edwards.bsky.social drummed into me the importance of thinking about the theory of change sitting underneath major policy reform. So it was a pleasure to have him back to the @nuffieldtrust.org.uk as a guest blogger to reflect on the recent Ten Year Health Plan 👇
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
The 10 Year Health Plan is full of ideas, but how will they happen?

Former Nuffield Trust chief executive @nigel-edwards.bsky.social has looked at what held back past reforms - a clear theory of change and humility about what central directives can achieve will be key if this plan is to succeed.
Has the 10 Year Plan failed to learn lessons from history?
In this guest blog, Nigel Edwards argues that the new 10 Year Plan has plenty of good ideas, but the past would tell us that it’s a lot easier to suggest such ideas than to implement them, not least w...
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Reposted by Leonora Merry
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
The 10 Year Health Plan is full of ideas, but how will they happen?

Former Nuffield Trust chief executive @nigel-edwards.bsky.social has looked at what held back past reforms - a clear theory of change and humility about what central directives can achieve will be key if this plan is to succeed.
Has the 10 Year Plan failed to learn lessons from history?
In this guest blog, Nigel Edwards argues that the new 10 Year Plan has plenty of good ideas, but the past would tell us that it’s a lot easier to suggest such ideas than to implement them, not least w...
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Reposted by Leonora Merry
peterwalker99.bsky.social
Interesting push by the IfG. From the anecdotal evidence I've heard, the new government rules effectively banning civil servants and many others from speaking at public events is causing utter chaos within many parts of the civil service.
drhannahwhite.bsky.social
We at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have coordinated a letter in @thetimes.com today in which numerous individuals and organisations call on the government to withdraw its mistaken rules which are having a serious chilling effect on civil servants speaking in public…
Reposted by Leonora Merry
jamestplunkett.bsky.social
💯 This is a weirdly retrograde rule that makes government less responsive and adaptable. Would be good to see quick movement on this.
drhannahwhite.bsky.social
We at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have coordinated a letter in @thetimes.com today in which numerous individuals and organisations call on the government to withdraw its mistaken rules which are having a serious chilling effect on civil servants speaking in public…
Reposted by Leonora Merry
alexgathomas.bsky.social
Exactly this. It’s a ridiculous and counter-productive move

And for those inside government who are suggesting nothing has changed - *it has*, whether intended or not ⬇️
ricmk.bsky.social
I was at a conference week before last - civil servants withdrawn as speakers at the last minute - just left confusion and an opportunity to bash the Government from a group who are vital to implement a policy and need to be onside. Madness.
alexgathomas.bsky.social
Story tonight about our joint open letter to The Times

We’re calling for the guidance that is preventing civil servants from participating in public and stakeholder events to be withdrawn

www.thetimes.com/article/2e4f...
leonoramerry.bsky.social
Thanks to @drhannahwhite.bsky.social & @alexgathomas.bsky.social for coordinating this.
alexgathomas.bsky.social
Story tonight about our joint open letter to The Times

We’re calling for the guidance that is preventing civil servants from participating in public and stakeholder events to be withdrawn

www.thetimes.com/article/2e4f...
Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing demands to ditch a new government edict that bans senior health officials, military leaders and even the head of the civil service from speaking openly in public.
In a letter in today's Times the leaders of more than a dozen think tanks, including the Royal Society and Nuffield Trust, warned the prime minister that the new rule was having a "chilling effect on public discussion" with some events already being cancelled.
In private, several former cabinet secretaries are understood to have made their concerns clear to Downing Street.
The new rules have even been condemned by Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's former head of communications, who was himself not shy about controlling the messaging of No10. In their letter the think tanks describe the new rules as a "mistake", saying that
"effective government" relies on public servants hearing directly from businesses, charities and citizens to help them make better policy. They warned: "They should be able to explain government activity to those same groups. It the guidance] is causing confusion and a chilling effect on public discussion. The government should withdraw it."
Reposted by Leonora Merry
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
TODAY: Listen to @sallygainsbury.bsky.social talk about the 10 Year Health Plan on Inside Health.

9:30am on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC Sounds.

Listen here 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Radio 4 - Listen Live - BBC Sounds
Listen live to BBC Radio 4 on BBC Sounds
www.bbc.co.uk
leonoramerry.bsky.social
Tune in now to hear our Senior Policy Analyst @sallygainsbury.bsky.social talking on BBC R4’s Inside Health on the 10 Year Health plan
leonoramerry.bsky.social
Lots of takes on the NHS plan today and I encourage you to read them all, esp those from @becksfisher.bsky.social , @theasrstein.bsky.social @jessrmorley.bsky.social, Jennifer Dixon. So I won't add to them. But I will say this: why oh why make a PDF 2 columns when 99.9% of people will read online 😡
Reposted by Leonora Merry
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
In both print and online versions of today’s @financialtimes.com, our Chief Executive @theasrstein.bsky.social says the vision behind the 10 Year Health Plan is the right one. The ambition for England’s NHS is clear, but it will be harder to achieve.
www.ft.com/content/eeff...
NHS plan is long on the ‘what’ and short on the ‘how’
The vision of community healthcare is right but marred by the belief it will save money
www.ft.com
Reposted by Leonora Merry
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
It's been a landmark day for the NHS. But what does it all mean?

We asked @becksfisher.bsky.social, Director of Research and Policy