About us
What's New
Risk Based Process (click for more information)
To streamline review and approval, the application and review process for each project is now determined by the level of risk carried by the project. Researchers must complete a risk assessment checklist at the start of the application process.
Peer Review (click for more information)
To enhance quality of submission, researchers must arrange for a peer review of their proposed project to be conducted prior to submission. Documentation of this review is required for applications accepted by Ethics & Research.
Line Manager (click for more information)
To ensure accountability in researchers, the principal investigator must obtain the signature of their line manager (on the Application Coversheet) in order for acceptance by Ethics & Research. The responsibilities of a line manger are:
a) To verify that the person who conducted the pre-submission peer review has appropriate expertise
b) To be a contact point for the escalation of any issues that cannot be resolved with the principal investigator, and to oversee the appropriate resolution of the issues, such as audit findings, HREC concerns and complaints.
c) To review the resource requirements of the project and to ensure that these are available from their department, as necessary.
New Research Procedures (click for more information)
Monitoring & Auditing Program (click for more information)
New Annual & Final Report Forms
The revised forms contain specific questions to be answered, as opposed to the previous forms which contained little guidance for researchers completing the reports. This will assist when monitoring human research conduct following initial HREC approval. The new forms are now effective and annual & final reports on the old template will no longer be accepted.
Research Ethics
The Royal Childrens Hospital (RCH) supports and encourages research, quality improvement & clinical audit activities involving children. All research conducted on the RCH campus must be approved by the RCH Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) before it can commence.
The RCH HREC is constituted and operates in accordance with the NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans (2007).
The RCH HRECs primary objectives are:
- To assess the ethical principles associated with the conduct of research in humans and to protect the welfare and rights of participants in research, and
- To facilitate research that is or will be of benefit to the researchers community or to humankind.
The RCH Ethics and Research Department is responsible for managing and facilitating the ethical review process for the campus. This involves co-ordinating scientific & ethical review of research. In addition, the department is responsible for research monitoring, research management including meeting legislative and regulatory requirements, policy development, the provision of researcher support and advice, and risk management.
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RCH HREC Review Process (flow diagram)
- HREC Membership