News and opinion

Professor Sir Aziz Sheikh OBE appointed as next Nuffield Professor of Primary Care Health Sciences and Head of Department, NDPCHS, University of Oxford

31 July 2023

Awards & appointments

Professor Sir Aziz Sheikh has been appointed to succeed Professor Richard Hobbs CBE as Nuffield Professor of Primary Care Health Sciences and Head of Department from August 2024.

New study finds environmental harm from low meat diets is much lower than high meat diets

20 July 2023

A groundbreaking research study conducted by the Livestock, Environment and People (LEAP) project at the University of Oxford has revealed that adopting low meat diets can significantly decrease the environmental impact of food production.

NHS at 75: Highlighting the Pivotal Role of Primary Care in Tackling Health Challenges

5 July 2023

Celebrating the NHS's 75th anniversary, Oxford's Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences underscores its pivotal role in combating health inequalities and antimicrobial resistance, from penicillin to the forefront of healthcare innovation.

Rapid weight loss found to be safe and helpful for people with liver disease, Oxford trial reveals

28 June 2023

Cardiovascular & metabolic Clinical trials Health behaviours

A clinical trial, led by a team at NDPCHS, has shown that a three-month rapid weight loss programme was not only safe but also effective in reducing the severity of a liver disease called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with liver fibrosis.

LEAP's 'Meat Your Persona' showcased at the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition

27 June 2023

Health behaviours Public engagement & involvement

Researchers from the University of Oxford's Livestock Environment and People (LEAP) programme look forward to engaging thousands of members of the public with leading research on the health and environmental impacts of meat consumption.

Professor Michael Kidd, AO, to start a new role at NDPCHS from July 2023

16 June 2023

Awards & appointments Global perspective

Through a strategic partnership with UNSW and the University of Oxford, Prof Michael Kidd, will start in a new joint position in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (NDPCHS), focusing upon Global Primary Care and Future Health Systems.

CTU members attend annual UK Trial Managers’ Network Conference

15 June 2023

On Tuesday, members from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences Clinical Trials Unit attended the UK Trial Managers' Network (UKTMN) Annual Conference 2023.

Seminar provides platform for constructive dialogue on racialised health inequalities

15 June 2023

In a thought-provoking seminar held on Wednesday 31 May, experts and academics gathered to delve into the complex relationship between racism, colonialism, and health inequities. The ‘Race and Health: Reckoning with the past and present to secure better futures’ seminar was held at Green Templeton College and provided a platform for deep introspection and constructive dialogue on the impact of historical legacies and contemporary geopolitical events on health disparities.

Double milestone for equity in health research for NDPCHS: CfRE's launch and a prestigious Incubator Award

8 June 2023

Digital health & innovation Policy & health systems

The Centre for Research Equity (CfRE) and the ‘Race Equity and Diversity in Careers Incubator’, both hosted by the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Science, University of Oxford, have recently celebrated significant milestones in their respective missions of promoting inclusivity and equity in health research.

Dr Oliver Van Hecke wins ESCMID Young Investigator Award

7 June 2023

Dr Oliver Van Hecke, Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, has been awarded the Young Investigator Award by ESCMID (European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases).

Multi-cancer blood test showed ‘real promise’ in NHS trial

2 June 2023

Cancer Clinical trials

An NHS trial of a new blood test for more than 50 types of cancer, led by the University of Oxford, correctly revealed two out of every three cancers among over 5,000 people who had visited their GP with suspected symptoms, in England or Wales. The test also correctly identified the original site of cancer in 85% of those cases.

Professor Peter Scarborough co-leads new £5.4 million national consortium to transform the food system and encourage healthier diets

1 June 2023

Diet, Data and Interventions Health behaviours

SALIENT will co-design and evaluate interventions that support healthier diets and reduce the environmental impacts of our food system, working with partners in local government, food charities, community support teams and the food industry.

New study shows quitting smoking can improve mental health, providing reassurance to smokers and clinicians

31 May 2023

Health behaviours Research methods & EBM

A new cohort study led by Oxford University has provided compelling evidence that quitting smoking can lead to improved mental health outcomes among people with and without mental health disorders, alleviating concerns raised by both clinicians and smokers.

Clinical Trials Day 2023

19 May 2023

Tomorrow, Saturday 20 May, is Clinical Trials Day, an excellent opportunity to reflect on the immense value that trials hold in advancing medical knowledge and improving healthcare outcomes. Trials such as those run out of the PC-CTU are the cornerstone of scientific progress, enabling researchers to test new treatments, therapies, and interventions in a controlled environment.

The safety of GP prescribing in England was not adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, finds new study using OpenSAFELY

19 May 2023

Researchers from the universities of Oxford and Nottingham have found that despite substantial disruption to primary care services, the safety of GP prescribing in England was largely unaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Professor Julia Hippisley-Cox becomes a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences

18 May 2023

The Academy of Medical Sciences has elected eight University of Oxford biomedical and health scientists to its fellowship, including Professor Julia Hippisley-Cox from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences.

CTU presents at the NIHR 7th Annual Primary Care Research Symposium

18 May 2023

On Tuesday the 16th of May, members of the CTU attended the 7th Annual Primary Care Research Symposium organised by the NIHR’s Thames Valley and South Midland’s Clinical Research Network. Held at Milton Hill House Hotel in Abingdon, the symposium was an opportunity for researchers from all backgrounds to network, learn about opportunities to take part in current trials, and discuss the future of primary care research.

International Nurses Day

12 May 2023

Today, Friday 12th May, is International Nurses Day. This annual day is an excellent opportunity to honour the hard work and dedication of nurses who provide essential care to patients in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. It also serves as a reminder of the important role nurses play in improving global health outcomes

Infections group and CTU win big at 2023 Antibiotic Guardian Awards

4 May 2023

The Infections and Acute Care Group and the Primary Care Clinical Trials unit – both led by Professor Chris Butler – had a momentous evening on Tuesday May 2, as they swept the Antibiotic Guardian Awards, receiving accolades for revolutionary research and science communications. The teams won in the categories of Research and COVID-19 learning and also got Highly Commended for Research.

Introducing Proxemis: the University of Oxford and EMIS have announced a new joint venture, Proxemis, an end-to-end clinical trial solution

4 May 2023

Clinical trials Digital health & innovation

Combining the world-renowned expertise of the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Science's Clinical Trials Unit with the software and data management capabilities of EMIS, Proxemis is reimagining research to support healthier lives with a uniquely tailored experience for clinical trial delivery.