Issue 28 – NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre

Welcome to the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Oxford Health Newsletter providing a round up of our latest news.

To feature in future editions email Oxford Health R&D Comms.

Our research in the News

The Herald Series: Hundreds attend Oxford Health Research at Westgate
Oxford Mail: Oxford Health NHS launches Count Me In research project
Neuroscience News.com: High Cognitive Scores Might Predict Depressive Relapse
Gov.UK: Two members reappointed to the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody
Oxford Mail: Oxford psychiatric unit space transformed into Garden
Oxford Mail: Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust worker wins award
Oxford Mail: Poor childhood sleep linked to teenage depression

Oxford’s research showcase draws the crowds

Thanks to all who helped make Oxford’s annual Health Research Showcase such a success on such a hot day! Attracting hundreds of visitors to the Westgate Centre, interactive stands, engaged colleagues and hands-on activities brought research to life, showcasing work across several health areas and inspiring the public to get involved in studies shaping future care.

Read more: BRC news

A strong start for the Oxford AnDY Research Clinic

Launched less than two years ago, the Oxford AnDY Research Clinic is already delivering positve results. With 269 referrals in year one, over 80% suitability and 86% treatment completion, it’s combining high-quality care with research. Strong partnerships and clinician training are embedding research into practice, improving access and outcomes for young people’s mental health.

Shorter sleep may double depression risk in adolescence

New research supported by our BRC shows children with consistently shorter sleep from infancy to age seven face a higher risk of depression in adolescence. While affecting a small group, persistent short sleep was linked to roughly double the likelihood of ongoing depressive symptoms between ages 13 and 22, highlighting sleep as a key, modifiable factor for early mental health prevention.

Read more: BRC news

Oxford–Surrey collaboration strengthens sleep and neuroimaging research

Oxford and Surrey continue to strengthen collaboration in sleep and neuroimaging research through their joint exchange scheme who met recently, enabling researchers to share expertise, access specialist facilities and access hands‑on training. The initiative is designed to build skills, deepen partnerships and support future collaborative studies across both institutions.

Read more: BRC news

Early psychosis diagnosis tool launched in 3 major cities

A new digital platform developed by the NIHR’s Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration, EPICare, has launched in Birmingham, Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire to support earlier diagnosis and better care for people with psychosis. Using routinely collected clinical data, it helps teams track patient progress and improve outcomes, with the potential to support over 2,000 patients and inform care nationally.

Read more: BRC news

Early psychosis diagnosis tool launched in 3 major cities

Meet our new Deputy Director

In our latest 60‑second interview, Professor Jeremy Hall, Chair of Translational Psychiatry and Deputy Director of our BRC, shares his vision for accelerating research that delivers real patient benefit. He highlights the importance of collaboration, supporting researchers at all stages, and integrating neuroscience, psychology and emerging molecular methods to advance mental health care.

Read more: BRC news

NIHR rebrand: Phase 1 complete

Phase 1 of the NIHR rebrand is now complete across our BRC channels, including key website updates and rollout across social media. New national branding covering names, logos, colours and navigation has been implemented, with all new digital content aligned. Work now progresses to Phase 2, ahead of full compliance across all assets by July 2026.

Email Communications team with any queries.

Opening doors to research: CRF Open Day welcomes community and colleagues

Staff, patients and the public came together for a lively CRF Open Day, celebrating Clinical Trials Day and showcasing current research. Talks, tours and interactive stands gave visitors a behind‑the‑scenes look at studies and how to get involved, helping make research more visible, accessible and inspiring for all.

Clinical Trial of Ketogenic Therapy for Early Psychosis funded by Baszucki Group

A new Oxford-led clinical trial, funded by the Baszucki Group, will test a ketogenic diet in people at high risk of psychosis. The study will assess whether this approach can improve mental and physical health, addressing a major gap where no specific preventative treatments currently exist.

Professor Ellie Barnes named BRC Oxford Deputy Director

Professor Ellie Barnes has been appointed Deputy Director of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Oxford, supporting Professor Helen McShane and the next NIHR funding application. Currently Co-Theme Lead for Life-saving Vaccines, she will serve until March 2028, with plans to transition to Director in the next funding period.

News

Our research in the News

Oxford’s research showcase draws the crowds

A strong start for the Oxford AnDY Research Clinic

Shorter sleep may double depression risk in adolescence

Oxford–Surrey collaboration strengthens sleep and neuroimaging research

Early psychosis diagnosis tool launched in 3 major cities

Meet our new Deputy Director

NIHR rebrand: Phase 1 complete

Opening doors to research: CRF Open Day welcomes community and colleagues

Clinical Trial of Ketogenic Therapy for Early Psychosis funded by Baszucki Group

Professor Ellie Barnes named BRC Oxford Deputy Director

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