Recently, Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), visited Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OH FT) for a meeting focussed on NIHR Infrastructure, NIHR priorities and a tour of research facilities.
The meeting, held at the Trust’s Warneford Hospital site, was hosted by NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC): Oxford and NIHR BRC: Oxford Health.
Professor Chappell met with colleagues from both BRCs, OH FT, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry and toured local NIHR infrastructure.
A highlight was meeting with the newly appointed Mid-Career Researchers and NIHR BRC Senior Research Fellows, for a discussion centred on supporting careers in research.
Discussions included how the NIHR can bridge career transition points to ensure researchers from all disciplines are recognised and valued alongside clinical colleagues. Professor Chappell reflected on the aim of continuing to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, ensuring equitable access to research participation.
Later, senior colleagues from our NIHR BRC: Oxford, NIHR BRC: Oxford Health and both NHS Trusts engaged lively in discussion on the realities of delivering mental health research.
NIHR Directors and senior leaders discussed areas including the updated NIHR priorities, support for the 150-day study set up for clinical trials target, and how the impact of research is communicated to demonstrate its value across our health and care system.
Professor Chappell was also taken on a tour of the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF): Oxford Health to see first-hand the breadth of work underway across OH FT Research and Development with partners, particularly in mental health and dementia.
Discussions during the tour focused on the practicalities of delivering complex research within routine NHS services, as well as the importance of collaboration between clinical, academic and research teams.
Claudia Hurducas, NIHR CRF: Oxford Health Manager commented: “We are grateful for the opportunity to highlight the range of research underway and the commitment of the team supporting delivery.
“Professor Chappell particularly liked our collaboration with a study sponsor to develop the psychedelic research delivery room in the Facility, as well as the program we developed and implemented, influencing protocol change, for suitable junior staff to provide the post-dosing support.”
Speaking about the day, Professor Rachel Upthegrove, Director of NIHR BRC: Oxford Health said:
“We were delighted to welcome Professor Lucy Chappell to share the breadth of our research activity. Her visit was a valuable opportunity to highlight both our strengths in experimental medicine and the challenges of delivering complex mental health research within NHS settings.
“The discussions with Professor Chappell reflected the importance of strong collaboration between NHS, academic and research partners. This partnership approach is essential if we are to deliver ambitious studies and ensure patients benefit from research as part of routine care.”
Professor Helen McShane, Director of NIHR BRC: Oxford added:
“This was an excellent opportunity for senior leaders across Oxford to meet with Lucy and discuss priorities and challenges in delivering translational research for patient benefit. I know the mid-career researchers and BRC Senior Research Fellows really appreciated the time she spent with them.”
