A new scheme launches this week that aims to equip and empower NHS clinical staff with the skills and confidence to participate in clinical research programmes and quality improvement initiatives.
The Research Development Award Scheme from Oxford Academic Health Partners offers funding for research skills training, so NHS staff can develop and pilot improved services for patients and service users. The scheme also offers short-term funding to support clinical research projects. It is open to clinical staff with a focus on nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, pharmacists and early-career staff.
The award scheme is part of a national drive to improve the capability, capacity and support for NHS staff who are interested in research or who aspire to developing a clinical academic career.
Collaborating across Oxford’s academic and NHS organisations, the Oxford Academic Health Partners work to expand the region’s capacity for health and care innovation, improved training and cross-sector research.
The Research Development Award Scheme will fund the development of research skills through short courses, Master’s modules and Doctoral studies, in addition to providing funding for short-term research projects, including those developed in collaboration with external partners.
The scheme is open to applications from staff employed within the OAHP partner organisations – Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford University, Oxford Brookes University and Oxford Academic Health Science Network.
OAHP Director, Professor Keith Channon, said: “We are delighted that the Oxford Academic Health Partners are supporting these new Research Development Awards. Developing research, education, practice development and training for all our clinical staff is a key priority for our NHS and university partners, and these awards will be particularly important in enabling new research opportunities for nurses, midwives, pharmacists and other allied health professionals.”
Dr Bruno Holthof, Chief Executive of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and OAHP Board Member, said: “Enabling clinical staff to develop, pilot and share improved ways of working across our health and care services plays an important role in creating better health outcomes for patients and service users. This Research Development Award Scheme will provide opportunities for those staff who wish to develop the skills and confidence to take part in quality improvement and practice development initiatives and collaborate on clinical research programmes.”
Dr Nick Broughton, Chief Executive of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and OAHP Board Member, said: “Research drives improvements in the care provided to patients and service users and can yield solutions to some of the challenges of delivering high-quality services across the communities we serve. For NHS staff who are keen to contribute towards improving care, treatment and wellbeing, this Research Development Award Scheme provides funding to develop a research-led improvement project or to develop new research skills.”
Owen Gustafson, a Senior Clinical Academic Physiotherapist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and NIHR Clinical Doctoral Research Fellow, said: “I’m extremely excited at the creation of this research development award aimed at NMAHPs and pharmacists. It’s brilliant to see that the award has a broad focus, which will allow early-career researchers within Oxford to develop their own research ideas and skills.”
Applications close at 18.00 on Friday 22 July 2022, with the funding provided by the OAHP Charity. Visit oahp.wpengine.com/awards