Recently, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility (OH CRF) staff spent the evening together at the Voco Spires Hotel in Oxford to celebrate their hard work and success.
The event started with an inspiring presentation from OH CRF Director Professor Andrea Cipriani where he provided a historical overview of OH CRF to reflect the many changes that have taken place since OH CRF opened in 2011 across both its staff and activity.
Professor Cipriani said: “It helps staff to understand more about the roots of the CRF as well as being able to look towards the future with great vision and ambition.”
Professor Cipriani is a prominent figure in the field of psychiatry, currently serving as Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford. He is also the Theme Lead for the Data Science Theme at the Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre (OH BRC). He took over Directorship of OH CRF from Professor John Geddes in 2019, having previously worked as a medic at OH CRF.
After the presentation, staff were invited to address questions to Professor Cipriani directly and other members of the OH CRF Senior Management Team also present at the event.
Discussion focused on plans to increase capabilities following the increase in capacity with the recent lab extension, upskilling and education opportunities for staff, how to generate ideas for home grown research and more.
OH CRF Matron, Amanda Colston said: “I think we are a very brave team at OH CRF, we endeavour to raise the standard of education amongst our staff (currently 7 staff members are working towards master’s level or above qualifications) to provide colleagues with skills for a bright future in their careers. Our staff are ambitious, capable and hard working and we take pride in developing colleagues to be the best they can be in their time with us.”
OH CRF Manager Claudia Hurducas said: “Being the only mental health clinical research facility in England is both a blessing and a challenge. We are often trailblazers in our field setting up specialist facilities and SOPs from scratch enabling us to lead the way and share knowledge with others, however the lack of peers in other CRF’s with a sole focus on mental health nationally can be lonely. This makes our internal relationships and strengths as a team even more important.”
As discussion focused on “home grown” research and idea generation, Clinical Lead Dr Katharine Smith said: “Patients are an essential source of idea generation in research as often when we work together, questions that need answering are generated”.
The discussion ended with thoughts for the future including the importance of delivering research for the financial stability of OH CRF, a continued focus on developing research ideas and critical reading skills, the relaunch of the journal club and continued commercial relationship building.
Professor Cipriani said: “The real vision for the future at our CRF is growth from its current position as a locally and nationally recognised centre of research excellence to a research facility with international recognition. There is provision of opportunities for growth to each staff member within their role, enabling us to move from a model of conducting research for others to conducting our own research. I encourage staff to feedback ideas to OH CRF leaders, use resources available, attend seminars and spend time with Principal Investigators (PIs) wherever possible to continuously improve skills and understanding of the environment we are working in. Ideas for research come from your own experience where you must demonstrate knowledge in your field and understanding of existing literature/protocols.
The way our CRF works has evolved enormously since 2011. We started by conducting only the studies required for OH BRC, moving through the hosting of the vaccination studies during the Covid pandemic to today, where 50% of our revenue is generated openly across commercial partnerships and their associated studies. We have created a unique way of working over the last decade or so as the only CRF dedicated to mental health. We continue to grow in capacity, expertise and budget and have a bright future. The correct processes and procedures must be in place for future success alongside honest, hardworking and clever colleagues.”
The event ended with a drinks reception and dinner where staff were able to socialise and celebrate their success.
You can contact OH CRF by email: oxfordhealth.CRF@nhs.net
