transformation project was formally initiated in March 2026 (see Section 5.11).
2.6. Increasing the number of NMAHPs leading studies as Chief Investigators (CIs) and Principal Investigators (PIs) is a key National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) priority. Following significant growth at OUH between 2023-24 and 2024-25, this plateaued in 2025-26. (Table 1). Many NMAHPs are both the CI and the OUH PI for the same study.
Table 1. Numbers of NMAHP CIs and PIs, and studies led
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
| 8 CIs leading 24 studies | 28 CIs leading 50 studies | 30 CIs leading on 45 studies |
| 41 PIs leading 56 studies | 38 PIs leading 47 studies | 39 PIs leading on 54 studies |
| 49 CIs or PIs leading 80 studies | 65 CIs or PIs leading 97 studies | 53 CIs or PIs leading on 71 studies |
2.7. The number from each professional group taking on CI or PI responsibilities is detailed in Table 2.
Table 2. OUH NMAHP Investigators, by professional group
| NMAHPPS Professional group | CIs | PIs |
| Clinical psychologist | 6 | 5 |
| Dietician | 1 | 2 |
| Health care scientist (physical sciences and clinical engineering) | 2 | 1 |
| Health care scientist (physiological sciences) | 2 | 1 |
| Midwife | 0 | 1 |
| Nurse | 2 | 7 |
| Occupational therapist | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 8 | 3 |
| Pharmacist | 0 | 1 |
| Physiotherapist | 8 | 12 |
| Radiographer | 0 | 3 |
| Speech and language therapist | 1 | 2 |
| Grand Total | 30 | 39 |