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.
2.7. The number from each professional group taking on CI or PI responsibilities is detailed in Table 2.
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 |
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 |