John Williams
@johnhuww.bsky.social
wine, gardens, churches and Wales will feature. Professionally interested in health and life sciences, mental health, academic clinical careers and science policy in general. I cross boundaries. @wi_john
A disturbing article.
“Twenty years after the first face transplant, patients are dying, data is missing, and the experimental procedure’s future hangs in the balance”
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
“Twenty years after the first face transplant, patients are dying, data is missing, and the experimental procedure’s future hangs in the balance”
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Face transplants promised hope. Patients were put through the unthinkable
Twenty years after the first face transplant, patients are dying, data is missing, and the experimental procedure’s future hangs in the balance
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:23 AM
A disturbing article.
“Twenty years after the first face transplant, patients are dying, data is missing, and the experimental procedure’s future hangs in the balance”
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
“Twenty years after the first face transplant, patients are dying, data is missing, and the experimental procedure’s future hangs in the balance”
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Word games don’t engender trust!
“If you read the manifesto, we are very clear, we say ‘the rates of income tax, NI and VAT’, but if you are asking does this have a cost for working people, I acknowledge it does,”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“If you read the manifesto, we are very clear, we say ‘the rates of income tax, NI and VAT’, but if you are asking does this have a cost for working people, I acknowledge it does,”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Rachel Reeves targets UK’s wealthiest in £26bn tax-raising budget
Chancellor axes two-child benefit cap and cuts energy bills paid for by mansion tax and freezing tax thresholds
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Word games don’t engender trust!
“If you read the manifesto, we are very clear, we say ‘the rates of income tax, NI and VAT’, but if you are asking does this have a cost for working people, I acknowledge it does,”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“If you read the manifesto, we are very clear, we say ‘the rates of income tax, NI and VAT’, but if you are asking does this have a cost for working people, I acknowledge it does,”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Toxic culture of distrust at BBC led to recent resignations, former deputy director says |
“there had been a lack of self-reflection on the part of some board members about how to conduct their role overseeing the BBC.”
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
“there had been a lack of self-reflection on the part of some board members about how to conduct their role overseeing the BBC.”
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Toxic culture of distrust at BBC led to recent resignations, former deputy director says
Mark Damazer says over-assertive board and executives feeling ‘embattled’ played into departures of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Toxic culture of distrust at BBC led to recent resignations, former deputy director says |
“there had been a lack of self-reflection on the part of some board members about how to conduct their role overseeing the BBC.”
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
“there had been a lack of self-reflection on the part of some board members about how to conduct their role overseeing the BBC.”
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
“We don’t need to recreate or rename medical generalism, but we do need to value, support, and expand it. Let us increase the number of geriatricians and acute internal medicine physicians we train and employ,”
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
www.bmj.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:14 AM
“We don’t need to recreate or rename medical generalism, but we do need to value, support, and expand it. Let us increase the number of geriatricians and acute internal medicine physicians we train and employ,”
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Always surprised that the joys of bitting insects and algae build up isn’t mentioned!
Luxury houseboats that marry rural pleasure with high-end comfort
www.thetimes.com/article/d663...
Luxury houseboats that marry rural pleasure with high-end comfort
www.thetimes.com/article/d663...
Luxury houseboats that marry rural pleasure with high-end comfort
Modern floating homes allow you to enjoy a connection to nature with cutting-edge features — including proper bathrooms
www.thetimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Always surprised that the joys of bitting insects and algae build up isn’t mentioned!
Luxury houseboats that marry rural pleasure with high-end comfort
www.thetimes.com/article/d663...
Luxury houseboats that marry rural pleasure with high-end comfort
www.thetimes.com/article/d663...
Rachel Reeves targets UK’s wealthiest !
“Some Labour MPs privately expressed alarm at the extent to which the budget would hit the so-called “squeezed middle” including more nurses, teachers and police officers paying the higher rate tax”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“Some Labour MPs privately expressed alarm at the extent to which the budget would hit the so-called “squeezed middle” including more nurses, teachers and police officers paying the higher rate tax”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Rachel Reeves targets UK’s wealthiest in £26bn tax-raising budget
Chancellor axes two-child benefit cap and cuts energy bills paid for by mansion tax and freezing tax thresholds
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Rachel Reeves targets UK’s wealthiest !
“Some Labour MPs privately expressed alarm at the extent to which the budget would hit the so-called “squeezed middle” including more nurses, teachers and police officers paying the higher rate tax”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“Some Labour MPs privately expressed alarm at the extent to which the budget would hit the so-called “squeezed middle” including more nurses, teachers and police officers paying the higher rate tax”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by John Williams
Reeves leaves Britons poorer but no wiser about Labour’s strategy on.ft.com/4ofdjux
Reeves leaves Britons poorer but no wiser about Labour’s strategy
She and Starmer remain torn between the convictions that got them into politics and economic principles
on.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Reeves leaves Britons poorer but no wiser about Labour’s strategy on.ft.com/4ofdjux
An important pair of papers
“The doctor’s role is being redefined as a generalist team leader, embedded in a digitally enabled system, at a time when scientific advances, for example in genomics, are vastly increasing the complexity of care.”
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
“The doctor’s role is being redefined as a generalist team leader, embedded in a digitally enabled system, at a time when scientific advances, for example in genomics, are vastly increasing the complexity of care.”
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:40 PM
An important pair of papers
“The doctor’s role is being redefined as a generalist team leader, embedded in a digitally enabled system, at a time when scientific advances, for example in genomics, are vastly increasing the complexity of care.”
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
“The doctor’s role is being redefined as a generalist team leader, embedded in a digitally enabled system, at a time when scientific advances, for example in genomics, are vastly increasing the complexity of care.”
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
NHS fund backs AI software to tackle mental health
“Meridian Health Ventures, which changed its name from KHP Ventures this year, raised its £20 million Innovations in Mental Health fund at the end of last year, to fund start-ups working on mental health.”
www.thetimes.com/business/ent...
“Meridian Health Ventures, which changed its name from KHP Ventures this year, raised its £20 million Innovations in Mental Health fund at the end of last year, to fund start-ups working on mental health.”
www.thetimes.com/business/ent...
Doctors’ Den: NHS fund backs AI software to tackle mental health
Meridian Health Ventures is investing in two start-ups to help treat patients at the South London and Maudsley foundation trust
www.thetimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:15 AM
NHS fund backs AI software to tackle mental health
“Meridian Health Ventures, which changed its name from KHP Ventures this year, raised its £20 million Innovations in Mental Health fund at the end of last year, to fund start-ups working on mental health.”
www.thetimes.com/business/ent...
“Meridian Health Ventures, which changed its name from KHP Ventures this year, raised its £20 million Innovations in Mental Health fund at the end of last year, to fund start-ups working on mental health.”
www.thetimes.com/business/ent...
Your Headache Is Serious. Science Should Take It Seriously.
“basic headache science has long been considered a lowly pursuit for researchers, and one unworthy of the federal government’s vast science war chest.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
“basic headache science has long been considered a lowly pursuit for researchers, and one unworthy of the federal government’s vast science war chest.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Opinion | Your Headache Is Serious. Science Should Take It Seriously.
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Your Headache Is Serious. Science Should Take It Seriously.
“basic headache science has long been considered a lowly pursuit for researchers, and one unworthy of the federal government’s vast science war chest.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
“basic headache science has long been considered a lowly pursuit for researchers, and one unworthy of the federal government’s vast science war chest.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
I Went to an Anti-Vaccine Conference. Medicine Is in Trouble.
“It isn’t the role of health policymakers or even individual doctors to make meaning for people; the local health department is not supposed to be a source of spiritual succor.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/o...
“It isn’t the role of health policymakers or even individual doctors to make meaning for people; the local health department is not supposed to be a source of spiritual succor.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/o...
Opinion | I Went to an Anti-Vaccine Conference. Medicine Is in Trouble.
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I Went to an Anti-Vaccine Conference. Medicine Is in Trouble.
“It isn’t the role of health policymakers or even individual doctors to make meaning for people; the local health department is not supposed to be a source of spiritual succor.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/o...
“It isn’t the role of health policymakers or even individual doctors to make meaning for people; the local health department is not supposed to be a source of spiritual succor.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/o...
“Study suggests human brain development has four pivotal ‘turning points’ at around the ages of nine, 32, 66 and 83”
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Brain has five ‘eras’, scientists say – with adult mode not starting until early 30s
Study suggests brain development has four pivotal ‘turning points’ at around the ages of nine, 32, 66 and 83
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:47 AM
“Study suggests human brain development has four pivotal ‘turning points’ at around the ages of nine, 32, 66 and 83”
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Michelin Honored the Cheesesteak. Not All Philadelphians Cheered.
The gastronomic guide has singled out three restaurants that serve the sandwich, setting off a loud local debate about tradition and innovation.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/d...
The gastronomic guide has singled out three restaurants that serve the sandwich, setting off a loud local debate about tradition and innovation.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/d...
Michelin Honored the Cheesesteak. Not All Philadelphians Cheered.
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Michelin Honored the Cheesesteak. Not All Philadelphians Cheered.
The gastronomic guide has singled out three restaurants that serve the sandwich, setting off a loud local debate about tradition and innovation.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/d...
The gastronomic guide has singled out three restaurants that serve the sandwich, setting off a loud local debate about tradition and innovation.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/d...
The Boomers Are Protesting Trump. Where Is Gen Z?
Too busy trying find work and make the rent ?
“Young people also no doubt notice the cowardice of many individuals and institutions that have the most at stake from Mr. Trump’s attacks against democracy.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
Too busy trying find work and make the rent ?
“Young people also no doubt notice the cowardice of many individuals and institutions that have the most at stake from Mr. Trump’s attacks against democracy.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
Opinion | The Boomers Are Protesting Trump. Where Is Gen Z?
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM
The Boomers Are Protesting Trump. Where Is Gen Z?
Too busy trying find work and make the rent ?
“Young people also no doubt notice the cowardice of many individuals and institutions that have the most at stake from Mr. Trump’s attacks against democracy.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
Too busy trying find work and make the rent ?
“Young people also no doubt notice the cowardice of many individuals and institutions that have the most at stake from Mr. Trump’s attacks against democracy.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
Reposted by John Williams
Important role - new Chair of the Board of @ukri.org
£33k for one day a week. Closes 11 Jan. Would be good from my perspective to get someone who understands higher education and the value of the arts, humanities and social sciences!
plusportal.perrettlaver.com/VacancyDetai...
£33k for one day a week. Closes 11 Jan. Would be good from my perspective to get someone who understands higher education and the value of the arts, humanities and social sciences!
plusportal.perrettlaver.com/VacancyDetai...
Perrett Laver - Leading Global Executive Search Firm
plusportal.perrettlaver.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Important role - new Chair of the Board of @ukri.org
£33k for one day a week. Closes 11 Jan. Would be good from my perspective to get someone who understands higher education and the value of the arts, humanities and social sciences!
plusportal.perrettlaver.com/VacancyDetai...
£33k for one day a week. Closes 11 Jan. Would be good from my perspective to get someone who understands higher education and the value of the arts, humanities and social sciences!
plusportal.perrettlaver.com/VacancyDetai...
“A local IT policymaker decided the system could only be used if every clinician carried a second, dedicated mobile phone, in case notifications became “intrusive”. What should have been a commonsense improvement became weeks of meetings.”
www.thetimes.com/article/b6f5...
www.thetimes.com/article/b6f5...
NHS needs to embrace smart tech fixes
If we can get a notification that our takeaway pizza is ready, why can’t A&E doctors get one to say a brain scan has been analysed?
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:22 AM
“A local IT policymaker decided the system could only be used if every clinician carried a second, dedicated mobile phone, in case notifications became “intrusive”. What should have been a commonsense improvement became weeks of meetings.”
www.thetimes.com/article/b6f5...
www.thetimes.com/article/b6f5...
How many people can the federal government (NHS) lose before it crashes?”
A question for the NHSE/DHSC as it sheds staff.
DOGE “cut muscle, not fat”; 26K experts rehired after brutal cuts
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
A question for the NHSE/DHSC as it sheds staff.
DOGE “cut muscle, not fat”; 26K experts rehired after brutal cuts
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
DOGE “cut muscle, not fat”; 26K experts rehired after brutal cuts
Government brain drain will haunt US after DOGE abruptly terminated.
arstechnica.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:08 AM
How many people can the federal government (NHS) lose before it crashes?”
A question for the NHSE/DHSC as it sheds staff.
DOGE “cut muscle, not fat”; 26K experts rehired after brutal cuts
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
A question for the NHSE/DHSC as it sheds staff.
DOGE “cut muscle, not fat”; 26K experts rehired after brutal cuts
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
Next generation' treatment to cure Leukaemia is given NHS approval - “The therapy, which only needs to be given once in a lifetime, was developed by Autolus, a University College London (UCL) spinout company.”
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic...
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic...
'Next generation' treatment to cure Leukaemia is given NHS approval
Obe-cel is a type of CAR T-cell therapy developed in the UK and works by genetically modifying cells to enable the body's own immune system to recognise and attack cancer.
www.dailymail.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Next generation' treatment to cure Leukaemia is given NHS approval - “The therapy, which only needs to be given once in a lifetime, was developed by Autolus, a University College London (UCL) spinout company.”
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic...
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic...
“But it is hard to blame the electorate for chafing against higher taxes to fund rising demand for public services when they have been told by politicians that they do not need to pay more,”
“No one has really made the case.”
on.ft.com/4rikBAj
“No one has really made the case.”
on.ft.com/4rikBAj
Britain’s Budget woes illustrate the threat to Europe’s social contract
Many governments have not come clean with voters about the growing fiscal strains on the welfare state
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:05 AM
“But it is hard to blame the electorate for chafing against higher taxes to fund rising demand for public services when they have been told by politicians that they do not need to pay more,”
“No one has really made the case.”
on.ft.com/4rikBAj
“No one has really made the case.”
on.ft.com/4rikBAj
Some genuinely interesting insights
Do our brightest minds really get trapped in the City?
“I work at McKinsey & I wouldn’t say the brightest minds are drawn to finance/management consulting. For the large part it’s a very “cookie-cutter” type of person”
on.ft.com/48uHv05
Do our brightest minds really get trapped in the City?
“I work at McKinsey & I wouldn’t say the brightest minds are drawn to finance/management consulting. For the large part it’s a very “cookie-cutter” type of person”
on.ft.com/48uHv05
Do our brightest minds really get trapped in the City? FT readers respond
Money or meaningful work? Prestige or giving something back? These varied experiences show it is not that simple
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Some genuinely interesting insights
Do our brightest minds really get trapped in the City?
“I work at McKinsey & I wouldn’t say the brightest minds are drawn to finance/management consulting. For the large part it’s a very “cookie-cutter” type of person”
on.ft.com/48uHv05
Do our brightest minds really get trapped in the City?
“I work at McKinsey & I wouldn’t say the brightest minds are drawn to finance/management consulting. For the large part it’s a very “cookie-cutter” type of person”
on.ft.com/48uHv05
Good to see UK based researchers featured. We need to be better at showcasing the talent that is nurtured by our world class institutions and charity funders.
www.thetransmitter.org/early-career...
www.thetransmitter.org/early-career...
The Transmitter’s Rising Stars of Neuroscience 2025
We recognize the outstanding achievements of 25 neuroscientists who stand to shape the field for years to come.
www.thetransmitter.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Good to see UK based researchers featured. We need to be better at showcasing the talent that is nurtured by our world class institutions and charity funders.
www.thetransmitter.org/early-career...
www.thetransmitter.org/early-career...
“Politically, Streeting is positioning doctors as the enemy when, strategically—if his strategy is to deliver improvements in the population’s health and wellbeing—he needs to make them allies. Ending the NHS gig economy might be a good place to start.”
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
NHS 2025: a wobbly triadic stool and a gig economy
The NHS sits seventh on the list of the world’s largest employers, rubbing shoulders with the armies of China, India, and the US, as well as mega-corporations.1 It’s also part of the “gig economy.” Th...
www.bmj.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
“Politically, Streeting is positioning doctors as the enemy when, strategically—if his strategy is to deliver improvements in the population’s health and wellbeing—he needs to make them allies. Ending the NHS gig economy might be a good place to start.”
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Wealthy People Have Always Shaped Universities. This Time Is Different.
“The ultrawealthy have long lorded their money and might over university presidents, pelting them with ideas and demands, promises and threats.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
“The ultrawealthy have long lorded their money and might over university presidents, pelting them with ideas and demands, promises and threats.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
Wealthy People Have Always Shaped Universities. This Time Is Different.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Wealthy People Have Always Shaped Universities. This Time Is Different.
“The ultrawealthy have long lorded their money and might over university presidents, pelting them with ideas and demands, promises and threats.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
“The ultrawealthy have long lorded their money and might over university presidents, pelting them with ideas and demands, promises and threats.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
A wonderful biography and relevant advice for the Chancellor ahead of the budget!
November 24, 2025 at 11:41 AM
A wonderful biography and relevant advice for the Chancellor ahead of the budget!