Cross-cutting theme lead: Elizabeth Tunbridge

We are building on the partnership between Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Oxford for world-class biomedical and clinical training. We can equip staff and trainees with the unique skills required for mental health research that can deliver real benefits to patients.

Building on Oxford’s key strengths

At the Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre we will:

• Integrate our high-quality development opportunities into an innovative and unique programme focused on experimental medicine for mental health, building on the excellent genetic experimental medicine training provided by Oxford University Hosptials NHS Foundation Trust and the OUH BRC.
• Develop the Oxford Certificate in Experimental Medicine for Mental Health (OxCEMM), and, initiatives which will complement the MSc in Translational Neuroscience under development in Oxford led by the Department of Psychiatry. OxCEMM will comprise a comprehensive introduction to experimental medicine (the design, regulation, conduct and analysis of pharmacological and psychological studies, including an introduction to relevant neuroscience and industrial considerations) and optional modules based on our existing, high-quality courses.
• Develop the Experimental Medicine Network hosting regular seminars, discussion groups and research cafés, integrated with our PPI and outreach activities.
• Work closely with the Training and Capacity Building subtheme in OUH BRC, to ensure co-ordination of our activities across Oxford, and will build on our strong national networks to establish productive collaborations with all mental health active BRCs.

Standing on the shoulders of giants.

In Oxford we are building on foundations where Oxford University Medical School leads the UK in student satisfaction, and the proportion of graduates who specialise in psychiatry. The joint Oxford Health / Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts’ popular Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is consistently heavily oversubscribed.

• The University of Oxford’s training programmes in neuroscience, psychology and psychiatry, complement its UK-leading research expertise in neuroscience.
• 63% of alumni of the Oxford Wellcome Doctoral Programme in Neuroscience remain in research or clinical work 10 years after graduation.
• The University of Oxford established the Wellcome Trust funded Mental Health Doctoral Training Fellowship Scheme for clinicians: the only such programme in the country.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has:

• 12 NIHR Senior Investigators
• An NIHR Research Professor
• 4 medical academic posts, 5 short-term fellowships and a Senior Nursing Research Fellow in experimental medicine with Oxford Brookes University.
• Training for NHS staff via Health Education England-Thames Valley.

One of our key university departments, the University of Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry, delivers a wealth of development opportunities, including:

• Academic Clinical Fellowships and Lectureships in Psychiatry.
• Tailored support for academic psychiatrists, via Oxford University’s Clinical Academic Graduate School, with cross-speciality development programmes in partnership with the Oxford University Hospitals BRC.
• A highly-successful Oxford Autumn School in Psychiatry attracting medical students from across the UK into academic psychiatry.
• Excellent career development resources (e.g. tailored mentoring and academic development programmes), recognised by the departments’ Athena SWAN Silver awards.