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Calvary Health Care Adelaide

Human Research and Ethics Committee

Research and Ethics Governance at Calvary Health Care Adelaide

Calvary Health Care Adelaide (CHCA) Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) considers research and ethical issues that may arise at any CHCA hospital. The HREC demonstrates a strong commitment and attention to detail in its research and ethics governance.

The HREC is fully compliant with all directives and obligations of the National Medical Research Council (NHMRC) / Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC) in terms of committee composition, committee conduct, reporting, and monitoring, and is guided by The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research involving Humans 2007.

The HREC Chair provides a comprehensive Annual Report to NHMRC/AHEC and subsequently receives an annual ‘compliance confirmation’ letter, without which an HREC may not consider nor conduct any research.

The current process for research activity approval and conduct at any Calvary Hospital in Adelaide is as follows:

  • If a researcher / investigator enquires about conducting research at a CWH, he/she is given the HREC Ethics Submission Guidelines and Declaration October 2008. This document is stored at CWH:J:Executive/Research and Ethics.
  • The researcher/investigator forwards the completed documents (14 copies) with a covering letter to the CEO requesting HREC consideration and research proposal approval. In addition, a copy of the proposal may also be sent electronically to the Chair. These documents are considered ‘in-confidence’ and are managed and stored securely. A Consent Form and separate Patient Information Sheet (plain language) must be included. Both must contain declaration of any and all patient risks.
  • Proposals are posted to the Chair, CHCA HREC, c/o Calvary North Adelaide Hospital (CNAH) HREC, 89 Strangways Terrace, North Adelaide S.A. 5006 who arranges copies and distribution to all HREC members in a timely manner.
  • HREC members must have minimum of two weeks to consider proposals before they are considered formally at the next HREC meeting. HREC meetings are conducted approximately 6 weekly. The Meeting Date schedule is available from HREC Chair and the CEO Executive Assistants.
  • Fees may be applicable upon application and are stated within the Schedule on page 11 of the Application Template. Once research proposals are considered by the HREC, a recommendation is made to the CEO regarding approval status of the study. This approval may be ‘subject to minor amendments as outlined to the principal investigator by the HREC Chair’, or approval may be granted for the original submitted version.
  • Researchers are requested to ensure they include relevant version numbers in order to track any requested amendments and for archival purposes.
  • The HREC Chair notifies the principal researcher/investigator as soon as practicable by letter as to the approval status of the research.
  • The HREC Chair/Secretary maintains complete records and has monitoring obligations for the study duration as stated in the governing document,The National Health and Medical Council (NHMRC) National Statement on Ethical Conduct of Research involving Humans.2007.
  • It is the responsibility of the HREC Chair to guide members through the research consideration process and to be informed and updated on all relevant legislative and jurisdictional documents and obligations.

Contact HREC Chair – or 0417 200 883

Documents

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