NIHR Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust CRF

With the support of the NIHR BRC, the Oxford team has consistently demonstrated its ability to invent and deliver treatments of major benefit to patients worldwide (e.g. Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine). Until now, this has been achieved without the benefits of a joined up CRF.

We firmly believe by joining the NIHR CRF network we can achieve more with greater efficiency, offering excellent value for money.

The proposal represents a step change for clinical research facilities within Oxford, bringing together people with different skills in an inclusive environment to develop new skills.

The core facility is a newly refurbished Experimental Medicine CRF (EMCRF) providing 13 beds suitable for overnight stay with specialist facilities for investigation.

Partnering this with two existing facilities providing high quality and flexible facilities for day cases (Oxford Centre for Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism CRU 8 Beds; Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre CRF 4 beds) greatly improves flexibility and the ability to make best use of the facilities.

We have had substantial investment by Oxford University (OU £5M), Oxford University NHS Trust (OUH £11M) NIHR Blood and Transplant (£4M) and Charities (£3M) to support refurbishment and equipping of the facilities.

Bringing things together in this way will provide for the first time a focus for early clinical research and form a strong base for better training of research nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals.

We already participate in a range of training schemes including those of the NIHR, but this network will provide much more joined up opportunities for working across different medical specialties and between people from different disciplines.

We have two scientific areas of focus which provide valuable information in multiple areas: models that stimulate the immune system directly or by controlled administration of a (harmless) infectious agent, and the use of detailed analysis of the body's cells to test drug action. This is made possible by clear commitment to closer working between OU and OUH, supported by strong joint governance.

It also provides a way to make sure we encourage diversity and inclusion in our staff and those participating in studies.

We have also made sure the contribution of patients and public is central at all stages clinical research: study design, defining what is a priority, how studies are run, and the way we operate our facilities. Although this is a new network, the team is very experienced.

The Director has 20-years experience in experimental medicine is supported by many others from OU and OUH with wide and deep experience [Brent OUH Deputy Chief Medical Officer; Walthall Director of Nursing Research; Profs McShane, Pollard, Hill, Karpe, Taylor, Buckley, Travis, Rahman, Ho, Hollander, Servais].

We are committed to making a real contribution to the national NIHR CRF network and have already made strong links with NIHR Oxford Cognitive Health CRF and Birmingham BRC and CRF.