Governance and monitoring
The NHS has a duty of care to its patients and staff. Proper governance of research is essential to ensure that the public can have confidence in, and benefit from, quality research in health and social care.
UHS R&D works with researchers to ensure that all research is performed to high scientific, ethical and financial standards and in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance.
The R&D office is responsible for granting approval of all research activity, both commercial and non-commercial, that involves UHS patients, premises and staff. Information, advice and the appropriate forms are available as downloads from the UHS R&D website.
The Research Passport
An Honorary Research Contract (HRC) is required when a researcher is not employed by the NHS and the research being conducted has a "direct bearing on the quality of patient care". The Research Passport is the new mechanism for non-NHS staff to obtain an HRC, which will be adopted by UHS as it is rolled out across the UK. The document is provided by the NHS R&D office, and is to be completed by researchers and their substantive employer. It can be taken to other NHS organisations, removing the need for duplicate checks by NHS organisations.
More information on the Research Passport and downloadable documents can be obtained from the UKCRC web pages on The Research Passport or from the NIHR Resource Pack.