Introduction
Across Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust’s research infrastructures, the Trust’s Research and Delivery teams, the NIHR Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility (OH CRF), NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre (OH BRC) and the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC) Mission, 2025 was a year of momentum, partnership, and benefits for patients and communities.
Building on the achievements of 2024, we prioritised collaborative partnerships, fostered innovation across our research infrastructures, and streamlined processes to accelerate the delivery of new studies. This approach has enabled us to address emerging challenges in mental and brain health, enhance service quality, and extend the reach of our research to more diverse and under-served communities.
Here, we showcase some of our top highlights from across the infrastructures in 2025.
Oxford Health R&D
Recruitment excellence and national firsts
Our Mental Health and Memory & Cognition Research Delivery Teams met or exceeded recruitment targets in major trials, including CLEAR, UKREACH, COMPASS, CONTACTGAD and SATURN; notably, we achieved a UK national first with three SATURN randomisations in one day and ranked in the top three UK recruiting sites for the CONTACTGAD study.
Opening and delivering new studies
The teams opened and supported a broad portfolio of new studies, from READOUT and MINDSET to Carecoach, FTD Toolkit, Encrypt2 and Charisma. All whilst sustaining delivery for Frontier and commercial partners (Merck, Novartis), demonstrating both breadth and operational reliability across therapeutic areas.
Equity and capability
We secured NIHR strategic funding to enhance engagement with under-served communities and expanded staff capability with bespoke training (e.g. CBT for psychosis), phlebotomy sign offs, and Clinical Research Practitioner accreditation, strengthening a diverse, skilled workforce ready to deliver complex studies. Through the launch of Count Me In, we also made it easier for more patients to hear about and participate in research opportunities across Oxford Health.
Dr Martin Batty, Head of R&D at OHFT told us: “This year has demonstrated the strength and adaptability of our research teams at OHFT. Through strategic collaboration and a commitment to excellence, we have led research initiatives that enhance the quality and scope of mental and brain health interventions.
“Our achievements in 2025 reflect not only the dedication of our teams, but also our ongoing responsibility to translate research into meaningful improvements for patients, staff, and the wider NHS.”
NIHR Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility (OH CRF)
Top European site performance & faster start-up
OH CRF was among Europe’s leading sites for the COMPASS psilocybin trial in treatment resistant depression, while cutting average study setup times to 40 days, comfortably ahead of the national 60-day benchmark.
Nurse led lumbar puncture and diagnostics innovation
With Lilly seed funding, the CRF launched a nurse led lumbar puncture service to support dementia diagnostics and trials, creating a scalable model for routine NHS memory services.
Award-winning partnership and public involvement
Their Alzheimer’s biomarker pilot, delivered with Eli Lilly, DPUK and partner trusts won the HSJ Partnership of the Year (building on earlier category success), while the ENGAGE group expanded to codesign materials, audit accessibility, and contribute to staff recruitment embedding PPIEP across operations.
OH CRF Manager Claudia Hurducas comments: “This year has truly showcased the dedication and adaptability of our team at OH CRF. From leading on innovative trials, to strengthening public involvement and expanding and strengthening our clinical, operational, and leadership capacity to match the increasing scale, complexity, and governance requirements of mental health and dementia trials, we have continued to set high standards in research delivery.
“I am proud of how we have embraced digital transformation, improved our facilities, and worked collaboratively to ensure our research benefits both participants and the wider community.”
NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre (OH BRC)
Dementia research insights
BRC-supported research has provided new insights into dementia prevention, highlighting the potential protective effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists and vaccine adjuvants (such as the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Arexvy) which has been linked to a reduced risk of dementia. These findings are helping to inform future strategies for dementia prevention and treatment.
Support for children
Developed with support from Oxford Health BRC, The Online Support and Intervention (OSI) programme is already being delivered in child mental health services across the UK. Now, with international rollout underway, OSI is helping to make effective, accessible anxiety support available to children in diverse and underserved communities worldwide.
Shaping the future of inclusive mental health care
Supported by Oxford Health BRC, Oxford’s first Neurodiversity Conference and the inaugural Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviour (BFRB) Conference in 2025 brought together experts and advocates to spotlight inclusion and innovation in mental health. These landmark events are paving the way for more inclusive and effective support across mental health services.
Director of OH BRC Professor Rachel Upthegrove, MBE said: “This year, OH BRC has supported a remarkable range of research, from rolling out digital therapies for childhood anxiety and exploring the gut-brain link in depression, to launching new studies on sleep, efforts to prevent dementia, and personalised treatments capable of reducing or abolishing chronic pain.
“Our work in 2025 reflects the breadth of our partnerships and our focus on research that makes a practical difference for patients and families.”
NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC) Mission
UK wide launch of Early Intervention Mission cohort and SMILE Bioresource
This year saw the launch of two linked initiatives with the goal of understanding more about psychosis and related conditions, by linking clinical and biological data. Launched earlier this year, the Early Intervention Mission, a UK-wide research cohort of first episode psychosis, has now recruited over 300 participants. Complementing this effort, the NIHR SMILE Bioresource, has recently started recruiting all stages of psychosis, and is aligned with the national NIHR Bioresource.
PAX-D
Oxford researchers found that a Parkinson’s drug (Pramipexole) shows promise in treating persistent depression unresponsive to standard therapies. This innovative study highlighted the potential of repurposing existing medications to address complex mental health challenges. By targeting dopamine pathways, the treatment offers hope for improved outcomes in patients with treatment-resistant depression, reinforcing the importance of translational research and collaboration in accelerating breakthroughs for those living with severe mental illness.
Additional mood disorder clinics launched
2025 saw the national expansion of specialist Mood Disorder Clinics, creating a broader UK-wide network to improve access to advanced care for complex depression. These clinics deliver personalised treatment plans and innovative therapies, ensuring patients benefit from the latest evidence-based approaches.
Dr Julie Bieles, MH-TRC Mission Operational Lead told us: “2025 has been a landmark year for the MH-TRC Mission. By bringing together national workstreams and R&D departments across the UK, we’ve fostered genuine collaboration between researchers, clinicians, commercial partners and people with lived experience.
“This joined-up approach is helping us deliver more inclusive, relevant, and impactful mental health research for communities nationwide.”
Looking ahead
The 2025 story is one of delivery meeting ambition: faster study start-up, award-winning partnerships, scalable diagnostics, and national collaboration across OH BRC and MH-TRC Mission workstreams. As we enter 2026, our priorities are clear: continue widening access for under-served communities; deepen public involvement; invest in workforce capability; and turn promising science (ranging from psychosis cohorts to dementia prevention) into better care pathways across the NHS. Together, Oxford Health and its partners will continue to develop translational research into improvements that matter for patients, their families and staff.
