Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I am interested in doing a piece of research?

Frist, determine if the work is subject to the DoH Research Governance Framework (RGF) and must be reviewed by a Research Ethics Committee (REC).  If unsure, an A4 summary (one side only) outlining the proposal should be submitted via email to the Chair of a Research Ethics Committee or to the National Research Ethics Service Queries Line. 

If yes, in addition to obtaining approval from a Research Ethics Committee (REC), all research projects must receive authorisation from the Trust Research Directorate before work, including the recruitment of participants, may begin.  Without Trust authorisation, the indemnity is invalid, the resulting papers will not be accepted by most journals, and the research team will not be given access to Trust patients, records or resources.  Indeed, registering the project with the Trust is a prerequisite, in most cases, for obtaining the proof of sponsorship and indemnity without which the REC will not provide a favourable opinion.  Please contact the Joint Research Office for support.

You can download a simple list of the steps to follow when applying to the JRO for NHS Permission.

If no, any non-research project still requires approval by the relevant Clinical Director before participants are recruited and/or data is collected. The Clinical Director’s decision will be informed by the advice of the Trust's Ethics Sub-Committee. Applications to conduct non-research work are made to the relevant Clinical Director and the Trust Ethics Sub-Committee simultaneously through the use of the Ethics Approval Form.

Please allow at least three months from the time you start the process before you plan to begin recruitment.

 

Can I meet with you to discuss my research?

The Research Design Service (RDS) London provides help to those preparing research proposals for submission to peer-reviewed funding competitions for applied health or social care research. The advice is provided free of charge and is available through use of online resource and consultations with experts.

For help with costing a project or grant application, the Joint Research Office has a finance team, experienced in costing and pricing both commercial and non-commercial research..

One of the main complaints of researchers is the difficulty of negotiating the current system for obtaining ethical approval. The Joint Research Office has a dedicated member of staff able to screen applications and ensure that areas likely to cause problems are addressed before submission. This Research Ethics Administrator is also a single point of contact for any queries on indemnity and identifying a sponsor.

In addition, the JRO holds informal workshops, every two weeks or so, to provide researchers with practical guidance to help them put together submissions to gain Ethical Approval, R&D Approval and MHRA Approval.

 

How do I apply for a research grant?

The Joint Research Office (JRO) has a finance team, experienced in costing and pricing both commercial and non-commercial research. This team can also draft and review contracts between funding / sponsoring organisations and the research sites. 

You can download a simple list of the steps to follow when preparing a grant application with the JRO team.

Please ensure that your application conforms to Trust Standard Operating Procedures for Research Finance and our Rules for Costing Research Grant Applications.

 

I have ethical approval and have been indemnified by my college/university; can I begin my research project?

Unfortunately not. In order to carry out research within this Trust, NHS research ethics committee approval and the authorisation of the Trust in which the research will take place must also be obtained. As with all research undertaken within the Trust, a senior member of the Trust is required to take overall responsibility for the proper conduct of the study.

 

I am a student and wish to conduct my masters / doctoral thesis research in the Trust; is there a ‘fast track’ approval process for small-scale projects?

No. All research conducted in the NHS must conform to the requirements of the Department of Health’s Research Governance Framework, including work undertaken by students, and there is currently no ‘fast track’ process for either ethical or NHS Trust approval.

There are, however, certain conditions the Trust applies to all student research projects.

 

Where can you find us?

The Research Directorate is situated in the

Academic Unit - Newham Centre for Mental Health

Cherry Tree Way - Glen Road

Plaistow, London E13 8SP.

Telephone:  020 7540 4210

Fax:  020 7540 2976.

The Joint Research Office is located at:

Queen Mary's Innovation Centre

Lower Ground Floor

5 Walden Street

Whitechapel, London E1 2EF

Reception tel:  020 7882 7250

Office fax:  020 7882 7276