Who does Research Governance apply to?
Research Governance affects all NHS staff and patients. Anyone connected with research that involves NHS patients, samples, information, facilities, staff or services is covered by the Framework. This includes staff with full or honorary NHS contracts, students and part-time staff or those on short-term attachments.
All Clinicians
You don’t actually need to be doing research yourself to be bound by the standards of the Framework. If a researcher asks you whether they can utilise your patients, their samples or records in a study, you are responsible for making sure that the project is compliant. This would include making sure it has ethical approval, checking consent procedures and ensuring that the patients’ data is handled and processed under the Data Protection Act 1998. If you have any queries please ask the R&D Office for advice.
Managers
If you have managerial responsibility for individuals or teams within a specialty, ward or department you are responsible for managing their practice in service and research. You should therefore understand what the standards of the Framework are and ensure that these are reflected in clinical supervision, appraisal and personal development planning.
Those leading research
Anyone initiating and leading a research project is responsible for ensuring that the research is compliant. This includes explaining the requirements to others working on the project and checking that they understand what is required of them.
Those supporting projects
If you are not leading a research project but are involved in helping in its day-to-day running (e.g. processing samples, preparing and dispensing medication, enrolling patients) you should make sure you are aware of the relevant Research Governance requirements.