Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

27/11/2025

Autism research opportunity - OVAAT study recruitment open.

Do you know a young person who can help evaluate a new online autism assessment tool?

The Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust OVAAT study is looking for neurotypical participants aged 13-18 to help assess a new online autism diagnostic tool.

Recruitment for the OVAAT study is open.

🔗 To read more about the study, full eligibility criteria and contact details please see the Trust website: https://oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/news/young-people-needed-to-help-evaluate-online-autism-assessment-tool/

25/11/2025

Are you a young person aged 15–18 in Oxfordshire who’s completed treatment for or but still struggling?

The ATTEND research trial, led by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge, is testing a new therapy, Mindfulness for Adolescents and Carers (MAC).

This innovative approach helps young people manage low mood and supports parents/carers in understanding and reinforcing these techniques.

If you're between services or seeking extra support beyond CAMHS or school, this could be for you.

Find out how to get involved on our website: https://oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/news/trial-offering-mindfulness-therapy-is-looking-for-teenaged-participants/

21/11/2025

Oxfordshire took part in its first ever Baby Week, which launched on Friday 14th November. Services across the county came together in the City and the South to help promote the event with the theme of 'healthy parents, healthy baby'.

Thanks to everyone who took part and made it a big success!

20/11/2025

At Oxford Health we’re proud to join Carers UK and organisations from across the country in raising awareness of the rights, entitlements and wider support available for unpaid carers. This includes our Oxford Health staff who are working carers who are juggling supporting someone alongside working.

This year’s theme ‘Know your rights, use your rights’ is all about making sure more carers understand their entitlements and feel confident to use them. We’re encouraging everyone to get involved and to find out how carers rights can help you to:

✔ Access support

✔ Juggle care and work

✔ Look after your health and wellbeing

✔ When the person you care for is coming out of hospital


Know your rights, use your rights

As a carer, knowing your rights empowers you with information about what you’re entitled to. This helps you feel confident asking for what you need, as well as challenging things when your rights are not being met – whether that be in the workplace or education, in accessing health or social care, or when interacting with other professionals or at home. These right are;



The right to unpaid Carer’s Leave
The right to request flexible working
The right to ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer
The right (and choice) to request a free flu jab
Protection against discrimination or harassment
Requesting a carer’s assessment
Being consulted when the person you care for is discharged from hospital

Check out the Carers Rights UK website for loads of help, support and advice.

18/11/2025

📢 Calling all parents and carers!

Our Mental Health in Development Theme, in collaboration with The Charlie Waller Trust has launched a Parent Carer Research Network, a space for parents and carers to get involved in .

They're especially keen to hear from underrepresented groups, including:
✔️ Foster and adoptive parents
✔️ Parents from ethnically diverse backgrounds
✔️ Parents from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities
✔️ Fathers and male carers

Their next newsletter is out 27.11 so sign up before then!

All information including how to sign up can be found on their dedicated website: https://mhid.org.uk/parent-carer-research-network/

17/11/2025

Count Me In launches this week

Ever wondered how research shapes better care and new treatments? At Oxford Health, we believe everyone should have the chance to take part.

Count Me In makes it easier for patients to hear about research opportunities. If you’ve used our services and haven’t opted out, you may be invited to learn more, participation is always voluntary.

This means:
✅ Faster recruitment
✅ Research that reflects our communities
✅ Patients helping shape future studies

Your privacy is protected, and opting out is simple.
Visit our webpage when it launches later this week
Email the team: CountMeIn@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

Read more on our website: https://oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/news/count-me-to-launch-this-week/

13/11/2025

For 45 years, the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards have recognised examples of healthcare excellence in the UK. They provide a platform to showcase the most impactful projects, best practice initiatives, and transformative innovations shaping the future of NHS care.

We’re honoured to be among a diverse group of finalists driving innovation across the NHS, and proud to share that our collaborative, cross sector project aimed at improving diagnosis of 's Disease, has been shortlisted for the HSJ Partnership of the Year Award 2025.

Earlier this year, our project was recognised as the Best Pharmaceutical Partnership with the NHS, and we’re delighted to see its continued impact acknowledged in this noteworthy category.

This work is the result of an impactful collaboration between Eli Lilly and Company UK & Ireland, Dementias Platform UK & the Trials Delivery Framework, and four NHS Trusts: Oxford Health NHS Foundation, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust , University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

12/11/2025

This year we've trained loads of Mental Health First Aiders who work within Oxford Health, either for the first time or with refresher training. They do an amazing job looking out and offering support for our staff, and we want to take this moment to thank them for all their amazing work!

12/11/2025

RESIDENT DOCTORS STRIKE INFORMATION - Please attend your appointment(s) as planned. We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.

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Industrial Action is being taken by members of the British Medical Association (BMA) from 07:00 on Friday 14 November through to 07:00 on Wednesday 19 November 2025. This includes resident doctors at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

As with all previous BMA industrial action, we remain focused on patient safety with multi-disciplinary teams, which also include consultants and other specialist doctors.

Taking care of yourself, your family, friends and neighbours
The NHS is also asking the public to play their part during industrial action by looking after themselves, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.

Ahead of industrial action, please read the following advice if you are travelling to other parts of the country:

If you’re staying in England and are away from home and need a GP appointment for routine treatment, please call your own surgery. And if you need a prescription, they can send it to any pharmacy you choose.

Make sure you have enough of your prescribed medications. You can easily order repeat prescriptions via the NHS App, though your GP practice website or, if you do not have access to GP online services, by calling your GP practice.

Ensure you have a fully stocked first aid kit at home or with you. Find out what you need on the NHS website: My First Aid Kit.

If you think you need medical help now contact NHS 111.

In an emergency, dial 999.

07/11/2025

06/11/2025

We know that Bonfire Night can be a tricky time for military veterans with fireworks triggering unwanted memories of combat. If this is the case for you, try these grounding techniques to help stay present:

Notice your surroundings using the 5-4-3-2-1 technique
👁️ What are 5 things you can see (focus on the details)?
✋ What are 4 things you can feel or touch (notice the sensations)?
👂 What are 3 things you can hear (pay attention to the sounds)?
👃 What are 2 things you can smell (and smell them!)?
👅 What is 1 thing you can taste (try eating something such as strong mints or gum) and focus on the how it tastes)?


Notice differences between ‘then’ and now’

Try noticing the similarities and differences between the memory that’s been triggered and what’s happening in the present moment. This can help break the connection between past trauma and day to day reminders.


Try asking yourself the following questions:

What was I doing then? -> What am I doing now?
What could I see then? -> What can I see now?
What was I wearing then? -> What am I wearing now?
Who was I with then? -> Who am I with now?
What could I hear then? -> What can I hear now?
What could I smell then? What can I smell now?

At this time of year, and all year around, further support is available to veterans and their families.https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/talkingtherapies

05/11/2025

Small adaptations, big impact. That's what Occupational Therapists do every day. A simple home adaptation like grab rails or a perching stool can prevent falls, maintain independence, and reduce the need for long term care.