Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals (NMAHPs) Strategy

NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre (OH BRC) is committed to building capacity and capability in the careers of NMAHPs. By fostering and creating research opportunities, we aim to support NMAHPs clinical academic development, enhance staff retention, and, crucially, improve patient outcomes. To achieve this, we have implemented a comprehensive five-year plan that includes tailored academic career pathways for NMAHPs.

BRCs play a vital role in supporting NMAHPs to develop research capacity and capability. The BRCs are collaborations between NHS Trusts and Universities that provide the necessary infrastructure for conducting experimental medicine studies. Cross-organisational collaboration drives innovation, develops new treatments, diagnostics, and medical technologies, and ultimately benefits patients and the public.

OH BRC, a partnership between the University of Oxford and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, alongside 13 external partners, has a long-term vision of creating a national network of centres of excellence focused on brain health research. Through this initiative, we aim to foster innovation and improve the lives of people and patients across the UK.

OH BRC works closely with Oxford Brookes University, specifically the Oxford Institute of Applied Health Research (OxInAHR). OxInAHR is a multidisciplinary community of applied health researchers dedicated to producing world-class research that improves service delivery, patient care, and population health and well-being. One of OxInAHR’s strategic aims is to develop NMAHP research capacity and capability.

Research engagement is not only beneficial for individual career development but also contributes to broader institutional and patient-focused outcomes. Evidence shows that when NMAHPs engage in research, it leads to:

• Staff retention: A culture that enables clinical academic NMAHP careers provides a stimulating and rewarding environment, fostering professional satisfaction and long-term commitment.
• Career development: A framework for research trajectories enables NMAHPs to develop personal and professional values and behaviours, knowledge and skills to undertake research and deliver outcomes. It allows them to engage with and become leaders in research communities.
• Better patient outcomes: Research-driven practice is key to developing new treatments, diagnostics, and care techniques that directly benefit patient care and overall health.

Our OH BRC Academic Career Development Strategy outlines a clear path to support NMAHPs in pursuing research careers. Over the next five years, we aim to:

• Develop clinical academic training pathways for NMAHPs, providing structured opportunities for professional growth.
• Address barriers identified in a 2023 scoping exercise that highlighted challenges NMAHPs face when pursuing research, such as research awareness, protected time to focus on research and opportunities at different stages of a research trajectory.
• Create opportunities for NMAHPs to engage in meaningful research, with an emphasis on providing mentorship and financial support to pursue research degrees and fellowships.

This strategy is being led in collaboration with Oxford Brookes University, ensuring that it is both relevant and aligned with the needs of those it serves.

NMAHPs have the chance to contribute to and gain experience in research across OH BRC Themes.

By involving NMAHPs in these diverse areas of research, we not only enhance their careers but also make progress towards improving clinical practice and patient care.

We have already seen progress in supporting NMAHPs through the following initiatives:

• We were successful in receiving funding to host an NIHR Connect & Grow, Networking & Collaboration Event in January 2024. All OH BRC partners sent representatives to discuss the barriers and enablers for NMAHP academic career progression. The keynote speakers were Professor Ruth Endacott, NIHR Director of Nursing and Midwifery and Dr Fiona Maxton, Research Lead- Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Policy and Strategy Unit, Nursing Directorate, NHS England.
• South Central INSIGHT Masters Programme (SCIP): One place has been fully funded for an NMAHP from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust to pursue a part-time Research Masters, from September 2024 to September 2026. We encourage NMAHPs to apply here and applications for 2026/2027 are open until Monday 6 April 2026.
• Research secondment in the Dementia Theme: We funded a one-year pre-doctoral secondment for an NMAHP (community psychiatric nurse) to undertake a project at the Oxford Brain Health Clinic within the Dementia Theme. Inga Farafontova, has written about her experience of taking part.
• NIHR Infrastructure and Schools Pre-Application Support Fund 2024. Three BRC partners (Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford) received additional funding to support NMAHP candidates to apply for NIHR Doctoral or Pre-Doctoral Fellowships. Candidates are released from their clinical duties for 2 days a week for up to 6 months (through a ‘backfill’ arrangement) and receive mentorship from a senior NMAHP. In addition, we have offered a formal support programme of training to allow candidates to tackle specific aspects of the application form. Access to this programme was offered to NMAHPs outside the BRC.
• NMAHPPs Research Careers Showcase: Held in January 2026. Hosted by the NIHR Oxford Health BRC in partnership with the UKRI Mental Health Platform, the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration, and the NIHR Mental Health Incubator, the NMAHPPs Research Careers Showcase was attended by over 100 participants nationally. The online event inspired clinicians to explore how engaging in research can support career development and improve mental health care. A dedicated area on the BRC website has been created for resources signposted from this event.

These initiatives are just the beginning. We remain dedicated to expanding research opportunities for NMAHPs and look forward to supporting more professionals in their academic careers in the years to come.