Research Roundup: July-August 2026
Welcome to our regular research blog, featuring the latest findings, opportunities to get involved, as well as updates from our Research and Development (R&D) team.
The focus of the R&D team is currently on the approaching campaign to launch a new way of contacting patients about research opportunities. Currently, the Trust uses an ‘opt-in’ system known as Consent for Contact (C4C), where service users must explicitly agree to be contacted about research studies. We are moving to a new ‘opt-out’ approach in 2027, in which patients using Trust services would by default, be contacted about research opportunities, unless they choose to opt out. The change would not mean a patient is opted into research participation - only whether they can be contacted about opportunities.
This summer we have been conducting an extensive consultation period, visiting service user and carer advisory groups across the Trust, as well as carrying out staff and patient surveys, and dedicated focus groups. The feedback has been fed into the development of the processes and communications campaign to ensure we have considered as many viewpoints and concerns as possible in the lead-up to the launch. More information will be announced in Autumn 2026, and in the meantime if you are interested in finding out more, or getting involved, please contact researchdeliveryteam@slam.nhs.uk.
In staff news, congratulations to Dr Daniel van Wamelen, who has been appointed in a new role of Associate Dean of Clinical Research. He will focus on the complex aspects of clinical research at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), interacting with South London and Maudsley and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts, and R&D Offices across King’s Health Partners.
Read on to discover some of the latest research findings from the Trust and our partners, the IoPPN, and news and events which may be of interest to staff. One opportunity to note, if you are a health professionals looking to apply for a postdoctoral position, or seeking to return to research after a break, is the new London Launchpad MRC Regional Accounts for Clinical Researchers (RACR) initiative – find out more at the end of this page.
Professor Fiona Gaughran, Research and Development Director, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Updates from the Research and Development team
Joint R&D Office update on 150-day target for clinical trial set-up
The Joint Research and Development (R&D) Office at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) and IoPPN continues to support research teams in speeding up clinical trial set-up time and meeting the UK Government’s 150-day target.
We are continuing to perform exceptionally strongly against the 60-day target and are currently achieving approximately 95% performance, placing the organisation amongst the highest-performing Trusts in South London. Performance for the 30-day target has increased to around 69% currently.
Take part in mental health research
Life-changing research needs everyone to get involved. We are proud to be the leading mental health Trust for research participation in England. Join a study and shape the future of mental health treatments and care:
GOTHIC
This study is looking at how to develop a better treatment for people who have drooling, because of taking clozapine. Find out more about GOTHIC
CLEAR
CLEAR is a new trial looking into whether a medication called clozapine can help improve symptoms of psychosis in young people (12-25 yrs old). Find out more about CLEAR.
Research news from the Trust and partners
Pilot study finds lockable pouches help reduce smartphone use in schools (27 August 2026)
The introduction of lockable smartphone pouches in secondary schools in Northern Ireland has reduced smartphone use in schools, according to research by King’s College London. Dr Nicola Kalk, Adjunct Senior Lecturer at IoPPN, and Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley, contributed to the report alongside King’s colleagues.
People with severe intellectual disability are dying 24 years younger than the general population (18 August 2026)
A new study has found that adults with severe or profound intellectual disability are dying at a median age of 57.9, 24 years younger than the general population. The study builds on the national Learning from Lives and Deaths (LeDeR) mortality review programme. The research team included colleagues from various NHS Trusts and universities including South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
New study looks at how remote mental health care is working in practice (18 August 2026)
A new study from researchers at IoPPN and South London and Maudsley suggests that remote psychiatric care is working well for many patients, but may not suit everyone.
First publicly funded UK randomised trial of psilocybin therapy for depression finds significant improvement in patients (11 August 2026)
A new trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and led by researchers at IoPPN and South London and Maudsley, has found that a single dose of psilocybin, the active compound found in so-called magic mushrooms, produced significant improvements in depression compared to a placebo. It took place at the NIHR Clinical Research Facility: King’s and the Centre for Mental Health Research and Innovation.
Most people with eating disorders don't receive specialist NHS referral (5 August 2026)
A study of GP records for over 35,000 adults in England and Northern Ireland has found that most people diagnosed with an eating disorder are never referred on to specialist NHS treatment, and that body weight plays a large part in who gets seen and who doesn't.
Professor Dag Aarsland receives Inge-Grundke-Iqbal Award for Alzheimer’s Research (17 July 2026)
Professor Dag Aarsland is one of eight researchers to be honoured by the Alzheimer’s Association at their 2026 International Conference. Professor Aarsland is a world-leading dementia researcher and clinician. The Inge-Grundke-Iqbal Award award recognises his multinational studies that have shaped our understanding of Alzheimer’s.
£1.3m national study investigates impact of police stepping back from mental health crisis calls in South London (13 July 2026)
A major new research project, launched earlier this year, is examining how changes to police involvement in mental health crisis responses are affecting people, services, and communities across England. Experts at South London and Maudsley are part of the ‘PIONEER-MH’ study, supported by £1.3 million in funding from the NIHR.
Dr Martin Osugo receives three prestigious awards (10 July 2026)
This summer Dr Osugo has received recognition from the British Association for Psychopharmacology, the International College of Neuropsychopharmacology and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Dr Osugo is a Postdoctoral Academic Clinical Fellow in the Department of Psychosis Studies, IoPPN, and Specialist Registrar at South London and Maudsley.
AI and Innovation Take Centre Stage at King's Clinical Academic Research Symposium (6 July 2026)
The second King’s Clinical Academic Research Symposium showcased the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) and data science approaches to enhance healthcare and health research.
From research to routine care: redesigning a digital therapy for paranoia (6 July 2026)
This blog discusses how lived experience expertise has helped redesign a digital therapy for paranoia – SloMo – to support translation into real world services. It is co-written by Thomas Gant, NIHR BRC: Maudsley PhD student, and Amy Grant, a lived experience researcher at South London and Maudsley.
In the Media
Royal College of Nursing Magazine, 23 Jul 2026
‘Bridging the gap between physical and mental health’ - Dulcie Wood is interviewed about her work to bring physical health care into mental health inpatient wards at South London and Maudsley. Dulcie is the Trust’s Matron for Physical Health Care.
LBC News, 5 August 2026
‘Three in four with eating disorders face 'barriers to treatment' - as doctors are urged to look beyond body weight’ - report on IoPPN research featuring an interview with Professor Ulrike Schmidt, Professor of Eating Disorders, IoPPN and Consultant Psychiatrist, South London and Maudsley.Events and opportunities
Events and Opportunities
Join the Research at the Trust Viva Engage group to get the latest updates (internal staff only).
Tuesday 6 October, 2-5.30pm, Fetal Medicine Institute, 16-20 Windsor Walk, London SE5 8BB Funded by the IoPPN Inclusive Fund, this series of informal events is open to staff, students and trainees across King's Health Partners who are interested in mental health research and education. Whether you've ever wondered how to get involved in research or teaching, or simply want to learn more, these sessions are for you.
27 October 2026, 12–5pm, Robens Suite, 29 floor Tower Wing, Guy’s Hospital,SE1 9RT
Join us as we come together to celebrate the launch of the latest version of the Navigate MS app, an innovative digital health app to support people living with multiple sclerosis and pain, psychological distress and intimacy and sexual wellbeing.
Childhood Mental Health and Neurodevelopment Through a Mind-Body Lens
Thursday 26 November, 9.45am - 4.45pm, Denmark Hill Campus, King's College London
This event, organised by the NIHR BRC: Maudsley’s Child Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Disorders theme, will bring together leading academics, clinicians and experts by experience to explore how interactions between the brain and body shape child mental health and neurodevelopment.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - UKIMS Annual Conference 2027 for Perinatal Mental Health
Conference: Friday 26 February 2027 | King's College London
Deadline for Abstracts: 31 October 2026
Presentations will be in-person, with prizes for the top two. If we receive a high number of high quality submissions, you may be offered a poster presentation. More information and registration for the conference can be found here. Please email abstracts to ukimarcesociety@gmail.com by 23:59 on 31 October 2026
Joint R&D Office Wednesday Walk ‑ In
Dates: First Wednesday of each month, 10:00–15:00 | Upcoming: 7 October 2026 | Location: Room W1.12 (first floor, near the KCL SU), IoPPN Main Building
The Joint Research and Development Office (IoPPN & SLaM) supports researchers planning projects within the Trust, ensuring ethical, contractual, and regulatory compliance. Drop in with questions or email: slam-ioppn.research@kcl.ac.uk
Opportunity: New MRC funding available for postdoctoral clinical academics
The Medical Research Council has established a Regional Accounts for Clinical Researchers (RACR) initiative, which is designed to help clinical academics navigate key transition points in their careers and build long term research independence.
The London Launchpad MRC RACR brings together King’s and partnering London universities and has been awarded £700,000 over two years to provide flexible, targeted support for postdoctoral clinical academics.
The application portal will open soon. If you are a health professional looking to apply for a postdoctoral position, or seeking to return to research after a break, we encourage you to:
Visit the London Launchpad MRC RACR website for more information on eligibility and how to apply.