Research staffing
Recruiting research staff
The proposed recruitment of research staff must be confirmed in consultation with the R&D Department. Existing manpower should be considered wherever possible for a project, which requires the recruitment of such staff. Each member of the research team must be appropriately qualified by education, training and experience to discharge his/her role in the study. They must be aware of, and have ready access to, sources of information and support in undertaking that role. As part of the approval process within the organisations it is requested that staff participating in research involving patients or staff should undertake GCP training every 2 years.
Access for non-Trust staff
Non-Trust staff who wish to conduct their research on Trust premises or access Trust facilities and or patients must have an Honorary Research Contract with the Trust, or A Letter Of Access, applied for via the national Research Passport Scheme.
The Research Passport system and associated procedures have been developed to ensure that the interests of all parties are considered and the safety of patients and staff are maintained. Furthermore, these procedures have been developed in parallel with other arrangements across the UK to streamline the processes for obtaining permission from NHS organisations to undertake research. The issue of Honorary Research Contracts and Letters of Access for researchers has been devolved to the Research & Development office.
Student research
All student research projects must be registered with the Trust Research & Development Department, if they fall into the categories of research as outlined within the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research
UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research XXXXXX
Under-graduate projects.
- Whilst we do not seek to prevent primary research at this level, the nature of the timescales to achieve the required ethical and organisational approval make many projects, aiming to be completed in a single year, e.g. final year undergraduate dissertations, unrealistic.
- Discussions with local universities have resulted in many students at this level opting for literature based studies, or work that does not include patients, or staff directly, so removing the need for such approvals processes.
- Researchers falling into this category, who wish to perform primary research, are strongly advised to discuss their proposal with both their academic supervisor and R&D as soon as possible.
Post-graduate project
1. All applicants must receive organisational HRA approval, and NHS Research Ethics Committee approval if appropriate, in addition to any review and or approvals process from their academic institution.
2. It is expected that the Higher Education Institution (HEI) to which the student belongs will be the Sponsor of the research (see UKPFHSCR definition). This is not the same as the Funder of any project.
3. As research cannot take place without suitable sponsorship, if the HEI is unable to act as Sponsor. Applicants are urged to contact the Trust R&D Dept. as soon as possible to attempt to resolve this problem. No guarantee can be given with regard to agreement for Trust Sponsorship of any project however.
4. There is the expectation of the HEI to perform the scientific review function of the RGF guidance as part of the academic supervision of the project.
5. Applicants external to the Trust will have to obtain Honorary Research Contracts or Letters Of Access, via the Research Passport scheme in order to perform their research see above.
6. Applicants will have to be able to demonstrate adequate arrangements for indemnifying their research.
7. Applications should be made by submitting the IRAS application form, Sections A, B, C and D to us.
8. Suitable supervision arrangements should be in place for both:
- academic supervision – by the university
- clinical/Trust supervision – by staff member within the Trust
9. For further information contact the R & D department