Since SAGE first met in response to COVID-19 on 22 January 2020, it has been grateful for insights from a huge range of sources. Robert West engineers also proposed bespoke structures to seal the cofferdam against the existing Victoria Embankment river wall. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Related Videos. Prof Robert West, who sits in the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours, which advises the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said the current rules were "still allowing a lot of activity which is spreading the virus". Members of the Independent Sage committee. 46:21. You can get in touch by filling in the form below, anonymously if you CHAIRSir David Anthony King (May 2020 – )Former Government CSA; founder and Chair, Centre for Climate Repair at Cambridge; Senior Strategy Adviser to the President of Rwanda; Chair of Independent SAGE, Members Professor Anthony Costello (May 2020 – )Professor of Global Health and Sustainable Development, University College London; former Director at WHO, Professor Karl Friston FRS (May 2020 – )Computational modeller and neuroscientist at UCL in charge of developing a generative SEIR COVID19 model. Dr Tolullah Oni (June 2020 – )Public Health Physician Scientist and urban epidemiologist, and a Clinical Senior Research fellow with the University of Cambridge’s Global Public Health Research programme. When people see something like the Cummings affair … that’s not a recipe for trust.”. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. Dr Haque is also a Commissioner on the Hamilton Commission. Former members ... Prof Stephen Reicher of Independent SAGE ridicules the Government’s blaming of the public and demands a realistic plan to protect the community from Covid. “TTI (test, trace and isolate) has to be in place, fully working, capable dealing any surge immediately, locally responsive, rapid results & infection rates have to be lower. Imran Awan is Professor of Criminology and an expert on tackling victimisation against BAME communities and the effects of violent crime in society. Professor West’s team is looking at how effective different ways of encouraging smokers to quit are. He is also editor-in-chief of the journal Addiction. 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson was quietly allowed to continue advising the Government's scientific advisory panel, it was revealed today. Both she and Prof West are also part of Independent Sage, a group of experts who have argued for tougher measures at various points throughout the pandemic. Kit Yates , Co-Director of the Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Bath, and IndieSAGE, UK Click here to see the organisations that have officially endorsed the John Snow Memorandum. Robert West is Emeritus Professor of Health Psychology at University College London. And trusted.”. Agree with John & clear science advice. This is the really frustrating thing for all of us who work in public health Professor Robert West, SPI-B Farrar also said the test-and-trace system needed to be “fully working” before measures were eased. 34K Views. Prof. Gabriel Scally, Visiting Professor of Public Health, University of Bristol, Member of Independent SAGE, UK Prof. Carlo Signorelli, Professor of Hygiene and Public Health at the University of Parma University of Vita-Salute San Raffaele of Milan, ... Prof. Robert West, Emeritus Professor of Health Psychology, University College London, UK The government is facing increasing pressure from its scientific advisers over the decision to ease England’s lockdown, with one warning that the Dominic Cummings affair has eroded trust in its authority. Robert Winston was born in London to Laurence Winston and Ruth Winston-Fox, and brought up as an Orthodox Jew. Sage also considered documents on the track-and-trace system, with one report from behavioural scientists saying they anticipated “major behavioural barriers” to people using the NHS contact-tracing app, which would prevent it from being the primary method of containing outbreaks. Research summary. He acts as advisor to Public Health England on tobacco control and behaviour change. In order to gain the adherence of the public to pandemic control measures, it is critical that the authorities are trusted. journalists may contact you to discuss further. Prof Robert West said the current rules were "still allowing a lot of activity which is spreading the virus". We have been very successful in bringing it down, decreasing the numbers because of the social distancing.”. Prof Robert West Emeritus Professor Behavioural Science and Health Institute of Epidemiology & Health Joined UCL 1st Jun 2020. Walk about 15 yards down Torrington Place. Boris Johnson has announced a gradual easing of the lockdown in England from Monday, when friends and relatives will be able to meet in parks and gardens in physically distanced groups of six. He is a participant in SPI-B (SAGE). In particular he specialises in the use of observational data – including routine NHS data, with its additional challenges and benefits – to support health research. Not just me. Robert is currently writing a volume called Rethinking the Global Impact of 9/11 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020). His mother was Mayor of the former Borough of Southgate. Dr Zubaida Haque FRSA (May 2020 – )former Interim Director, Runnymede Trust. A poll conducted by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) of 2,000 of its members revealed that nine out of 10 plan to open their schools on 1 June, but with fewer children than the government has advised, despite opposition from teaching unions. The University College London scientist said: “Trust in authority telling you to do things is very important when it comes to people adhering to those rules. He specialises in addiction and behaviour change. Prof Robert West, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT Directions. Susan Michie and stephen reicher quoted in observer sto... Transcript of Independent SAGE first public meeting, Overall strategy recommendations to the Government, Centre for Behaviour Change at University College London. The Independent SAGE Behavioural Advisory Group includes leading authorities in anthropology, behavioural sciences, criminology, health studies and psychology. He wrote on Twitter: “C-19 spreading too fast to lift lockdown in England. A new Behavioural Advisory Group has been formed to contribute to the discussions, advice and papers of Independent Sage. Professor John Edmunds, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE… Professor Robert West - Independent Sage. Asked if he thinks they should change, he told BBC News: “Yes, I do. Returning to a situation where we lost control again is far worse than another week or two of social measures,” he said. Robert West is professor of health psychology at University College London (UCL) and director of tobacco studies at the Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre there. Minutes of Sage meetings released by the government on Friday revealed a sense of rising anxiety as scientists saw the number of cases grow faster than expected at the start of the outbreak, with the experts recommending on 13 March that household isolation and the protection of older and more vulnerable people should happen “soon”. For this to happen, both central and local authorities must involve all sections of the public as partners in all stages of the development, delivery and assessment of policies. Val Curtis was Professor of Hygiene and Director of the Environmental Health Group at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. They are all part of a complex system of people and organisations needed to address the problem. She was a participant in SPI-B. “Put all this together and you have a huge risk, and it’s not just me saying that, that there will be an increase in infection rates. Such data involves handling large datasets with complex structures where issues due to missing data and causal inference must be approached with caution. Horby told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “You know, we have still got 8,000 cases a day. Diversity is central to the thinking, procedures and membership of our new group. The Behavioural Advisory Group aims to help in the development of constructive proposals and policies that will help the UK Government lead the country out of the worst public health crisis of our lifetime.Appendix 1: Members of the Behavioural Advisory Group. An influential epidemiologist has warned “this is the worst moment of the whole epidemic”. The government is not taking its responsibilities for political leadership seriously. Read our Code of Conduct that all members have signed up to. Hi… Winston's polymath father died as a result of medical negligence when Winston was nine years old. Getting the right policies involves understanding the capability, opportunity and motivations of people in all parts of society. The test-and-trace programme will not be operational at a local level until the end of June, and an accompanying app has been delayed by several weeks. She is an expert in conversation analysis. Both she and Prof West are also part of Independent Sage, a group of experts who have argued for tougher measures at various points throughout the pandemic. Speaking to Times Radio Prof West, who sits on the Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (SPIG-B), which advises SAGE, said: One of the things, I think, that some of us have been suggesting is to allow parents to take their children away from schools before the official end of term. Other search results for: Robert Sage. Johnson has said the government’s five key tests required for easing lockdown have been met and schools can admit more pupils from Monday. Three days later, the advice changed: the committee heard there could be 10,000 new cases a day, prompting them to recommend further physical distancing “as soon as possible” adding that a “significant increase in testing” was needed. Equally, it is crucial to consider the impact of every policy and practice on practices on all sections of the public, especially those who are most vulnerable, with a view to reducing inequalities. You can view a list of academic publications about COVID-19 by Independent SAGE here. He highlighted the scientific advisers’ advice regarding the NHS test and trace system, which is being rolled out across England with the help of 25,000 contact tracers. Horby, of the University of Oxford, joined Sir Jeremy Farrar and Prof John Edmunds, all members of Sage, in warning that ministers were taking risks. Professor Christina Pagel (May 2020 – )Mathematician and professor of operational research, UCL, Professor Deenan Pillay (May 2020 – )Professor of Virology UCL, former SAGE member, Professor Stephen Reicher (June 2020 – )Professor of Social Psychology at the University of St Andrews, Professor Gabriel Scally (May 2020 – )President of Epidemiology & Public Health section, Royal Society of Medicine, Dr Kit Yates (October 2020 – )Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematical Sciences and co-director of the Centre for Mathematical Biology at the University of Bath, Dr Alison Pittard, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Dean Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (May 2020), Professor Allyson Pollock Director of the Newcastle University Centre for Excellence in Regulatory Science (May-September 2020), The Independent SAGE Behavioural Advisory Group. We will also address that of policy-makers, planners, and health and social care workers. Prof Robert West, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) that advises the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), emphasised on Saturday that about 8,000 infections, and 400 deaths, are still happening each day. Show on map How to get. Separately, Prof Peter Horby said on Saturday that, while thousands of people a day are still becoming infected with coronavirus, lockdown measures may be being eased too soon. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. He specialises in addiction and behaviour change. Its role is complementary, not an alternative, to these other roles. He has research interests in the application of statistics to applied health research. Robert Sage - West Dunbartonshire - Scotland . We’re joined by behavioural psychologists and SAGE advisors to learn more about behavioural and social strategies used, and which measures are - and aren’t - working. Prof Robert West from University College London, a member of the behavioural science group which feeds into Sage, said the level of concern people feel … Professor of Health Psychology Health Behaviour Research Centre Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University College London Prof. Robert Elgie, our dear friend and colleague passed away on July 14, 2019. “This should not be treated as a political crisis but as a health crisis: if you treat it as a political crisis it’s all about managing your reputation; if you treat it as a health crisis it’s about saving lives.”. “Happy Monday” will also signal the reopening of schools – allowing children in nurseries, early-years settings, reception, year 1 and year 6 to return to class – as well as more shops, with outdoor retail and car showrooms able to resume operations. Only the Guardian can see your contributions and one of our The formation of the group recognises the central role of the behavioural and social sciences in the response to Covid-19. He is a Fulbright Senior Scholar, an Honorary Professor of the New Zealand Defence Command and Staff College, and provides regular contributions to the national and international media on global issues and events. Robert West is Professor of Health Psychology and Director of Tobacco Studies at UCL. It was always avoidable. Every measure to counter the spread of infection is dependent upon the understanding, engagement and adherence to guidance of the public, whether that be self-isolating, social distancing, practising self-protective behaviours such as hand cleansing, getting tested or (eventually) getting vaccinated. Keep Our NHS Public. Professor Robert West, a participant in the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) and also part of Independent Sage, echoed her words, saying the current lockdown rules are “still allowing a lot of activity which is spreading the virus”. West said the decision by Cummings, the prime minister’s key adviser, to travel from London to Durham during the full lockdown would have an impact on people adhering to the latest rules. If you have been affected or have any information, we'd like to hear from you. wish or contact us via WhatsApp by clicking here or adding the contact +44(0)7867825056. People enjoy the warm weather in east London’s Broadway market on Saturday. Prof Robert West, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) that advises the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage… Professor West, based at University College London, is investigating how best to encourage and help people to stop smoking.. But he said it was vital “we don’t lose control again”. Make our schools safe. Not just me. id 0300003527961. Professor Robert West, who is a member of Sage's behaviour science panel, warned that the Government's current approach would not stop the … Some of the members also participate in UK-wide and Scottish government advisory groups. How Covid-19 contact tracing can help beat the pandemic, key adviser, to travel from London to Durham during the full lockdown, gradual easing of the lockdown in England from Monday, Minutes of Sage meetings released by the government, The NHS has sufficient capacity to provide critical care and specialist treatment right across the UK, A sustained and consistent fall in daily deaths from Coronavirus, Reliable data to show that the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels across the board, Operational challenges including testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) are in hand with supply able to meet future demand, Confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelms the NHS. “We are entering a period where there is a risk of increasing transmission, but we don’t yet have that safety net fully in place. Prof. Robert West, Emeritus Professor of Health Psychology, University College London, UK Dr. In April the UK government set out these five tests it said had to be met before they would consider easing coronavirus lockdown restrictions: The 450,000-member strong National Education Union (NEU) has said the date is “not viable”. Bell Business Centre Cheltenham Road, BS6 5RH. Robert West is Professor of Biostatistics and is a chartered statistician, mathematician and scientist. He is a specialist in the psychology of addiction.. References Asked if he thinks they should change, he told BBC News: “Yes, I do. Dynamic CO-CIN report to SAGE and NERVTAG (recent cases), 17 December 2020. One scientist says Cummings affair ‘not a recipe for public trust’ at key stage of lockdown, First published on Sat 30 May 2020 11.35 BST. It will support Independent SAGE in looking in depth at key policy issues, including ones not currently on the government’s agenda. Professor Kamlesh Khunti (May 2020 – )Professor of Primary Care & Diabetes, University of Leicester, Professor Martin McKee (May 2020 – )Professor of European Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Professor Susan Michie (May 2020 – )Professor of Health Psychology and Director of the Centre for Behaviour Change at University College London, member of SPI(B), SAGE sub-committee. She is a consultant for SPI-B (SAGE). Professor Robert West, a participant in the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) and also part of Independent Sage, echoed her words, saying the current lockdown rules are “still allowing a lot of activity which is spreading the virus”. He was a professor at Dublin City University, a leading scholar, a great colleague and a good friend to many of us. Other unions, including the NAHT and the NASUWT, raised their concerns about reopening schools on 1 June with the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, on Thursday. — Susan Michie (@SusanMichie) June 23, 2020 Michie’s tweet was re-tweeted by another SAGE member – her UCL colleague health psychologist Professor Robert West. He is a participant in SPI-B. “Robert West, a professor in the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B), which advises the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said the new variant of Covid was around 50% more infectious compared to that which infected people last March. She was an evolutionary anthropologist specialising in hygiene behaviour globally. West predicted there would be an increase in infection rates and a second wave of the virus once the lockdown was eased, accusing the government of playing politics during a health crisis. 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