The Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is launching a new Brain Health Centre to offer patients access to better quality diagnosis and treatment after they have been referred by their doctor for concerns about their memory.

The centre will provide a link between leading University research into diagnosis and treatment of memory problems and other difficulties with thinking, and the introduction of this research in the NHS. Patients will also be given improved opportunities to take part in research and trials.

We have two involvement opportunities for people with experience of mental health and/or memory problems – as a patient or a carer – to work with us as we set up the centre.

Patient / Carer Representative on Working Group

The Working Group has the oversight of the setting up of the Brain Health Centre. It will bring together key staff at Oxford University and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, and patient / carer representatives. It will meet on a bi-monthly basis, and report to the BRC Steering Committee.

The Patient / Carer Representative will play an important role in making sure the patient and carer experience is central to the development of the centre. Representatives will be asked to attend 6 meetings, plus attend a focus group, centre launch and review meeting.

We are looking for people with experience of mental health and/or memory problems as a patient or a carer, who live in Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire, and who can contribute to the strategic direction of the centre. Reimbursement for expenses and time will be offered.

Full details of the role, and background information, can be found in the Patient Carer Representative document. This also contains details of how to send us your expression of interest.

Members of Feedback Group

The Brain Health Centre Feedback Group will focus on the information and communication processes and requirements for the centre, and mapping the patient and carer journey through the centre.

Members of the group will input into how the Brain Health Centre is set up, and feedback into the processes, documentation and information that are to be provided for patients and carers.

The group will have an initial meeting, and will then be asked to review documents and information remotely. We would anticipate the Feedback Group will be made up of 8 people.

Full details of the group, role and how to send us your expression of interest can be found in the Feedback Group document. Reimbursement for expenses and time will be offered.

We encourage people who are interested in either of these roles to contact us as soon as possible. The deadline for expressions of interest is 17 July 2017.

• Patient Carer Representative Brain Health Centre
• Feedback Group Brain Health Centre

Researchers at Oxford Health BRC are developing a smartphone app to support patient choice about antipsychotic medications and side effects.

The app will ask patients to choose the side effects they would not want to experience, and in response will show preferred antipsychotics, as well as ones to avoid.

The app will be designed for use during a consultation with a psychiatrist. It will aim to support better conversations about treatment choice and adherence to medication.

How can you help?

We are looking for people with experience of taking antipsychotic medication to help inform the development of the app, by attending a focus group.

We want to make sure the app is easy to use, and understand who might be interested in the app and what sort of support would be helpful.

This opportunity will be of interest to people who want to improve patient participation in treatment choice, and explore how technology can improve mental health care.

What will taking part involve?

We are inviting interested people to attend a focus group in Oxford.

During the group, we will invite participants to use the app and talk about their experiences. The focus group will last 75 minutes, date and time to be confirmed.

We will offer participants reimbursement of travel expenses and a payment of £25 for their time.

How do I get involved in this project?

If you would like to be part of our focus group, or would like further information, please send an email to leona.wolters@psych.ox.ac.uk, or call us on 01865 613169, by 17 July 2018.

In your email please tell us why you would like to be involved in the project and give an indication of your experience of antipsychotics.

Information about this project can also be read in the project flyer.