Nnenna Omeje, Governance and Contracting Lead for the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC) at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT) has been nationally recognised for her leadership in accelerating the adoption of healthcare innovation across the NHS.

Nnenna was nominated for the Parliamentary Pathfinder NHS Innovation Adoption Awards 2026, in the Scaling Impact Award category, which celebrates initiatives that have successfully moved beyond pilot stage to deliver system wide or multi site impact.

Nnenna Omeje and Dr Martin Batty

This week, she attended Parliament as part of the AI and Healthcare Parliamentary Showcase, where she received her nomination certificate alongside innovators from across health and life sciences. The event showcased projects that are improving patient outcomes, strengthening the workforce and delivering measurable impact across the NHS.

The nomination recognises the development and implementation of an initiative that centralised Confidential Disclosure Agreements to support mental health research across the TRC.

The initiative enables mental health researchers to securely access early stage study information under a standardised agreement. This has significantly improved the ability to conduct early feasibility assessments, identify recruitment potential, and determine whether studies can be delivered to time and target. In turn, this allows life sciences companies to make earlier, more informed strategic decisions about study progression within UK mental health research. By moving beyond a fragmented, site by site contractual approach, the programme has delivered system wide efficiencies, reduced delays, and strengthened collaboration between the NHS, academia, and industry. Importantly, the approach has led to repeat commercial engagement from pharmaceutical companies, demonstrating confidence in the model and its scalability.

The nomination was made by Professor Rachel Upthegrove MBE,  Chair of the MH-TRC and Director of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Oxford Health and verified by UK Healthcare and Life Sciences Innovation (UKHLSI), highlighting excellence in turning innovation into real world change.

Nnenna told us: “I’m incredibly honoured to receive this nomination and to see our work recognised at a national, parliamentary level. Innovation only truly matters when it reaches people, services and systems and makes a real difference to patient care and the workforce. This recognition reflects the collective effort of colleagues, partners and clinicians who are committed to moving beyond pilots and embedding what works across the NHS. Attending Parliament to receive the nomination certificate was a proud moment, and I’m grateful to Professor Rachel Upthegrove for the nomination and to UKHLSI for shining a light on innovation adoption. There is huge potential ahead, and I’m excited to keep building impact at scale.”

Head of R&D Dr Martin Batty who accompanied Nnenna on her trip to Parliament told us: “I’m delighted to see Nnenna recognised at a national level for her outstanding leadership in scaling innovation across the NHS. This nomination reflects not only Nnenna’s expertise and determination, but also her commitment to ensuring that innovation delivers measurable impact beyond pilot stages. Attending Parliament to receive this nomination is a significant achievement, and we’re incredibly proud of the role she continues to play in driving meaningful change for patients, services and the wider health system.”

Shortlisted nominees will be featured in a Parliamentary State of the Nation report on healthcare innovation adoption, with overall winners to be announced at the full awards ceremony in Westminster later this year.

Congratulations to Nnenna on this well‑deserved nomination.