Research must be ethically and scientifically reviewed by a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and receive site governance before commencing.

Research projects at LRH can be approved ethically via LRH HREC or, under the National Mutual Acceptance (NMA) system, an approved multi-site HREC committee. This occurs in addition to university ethics in some cases.

In 2023 LRH’s HREC and RGO processed applications, amendments and reporting for more than 80 projects.

HUMAN RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE (HREC)

The HREC is a group made up of the following members:

• health professionals
• members of the public (lay people)
• person/s with knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care, counselling or treatment of people
• person/s who performs a pastoral role in the community
• a lawyer
• person/s with knowledge of, and current experience in, the areas of research regularly considered by the HREC

 
There are two forms of ethics applications:

• Low Negligible Risk (LNR) applications
• High Risk Ethics (HREA) applications

The guidelines for these applications can be found at the National Health and Medical Reseach Council website.

All researchers involved in HREA are expected to provide a copy of their CV, registration (if applicable) and current Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certificate. All applications to LRH HREC are submitted via the Ethical Review Manager (ERM) portal.

LRH’s HREC meets every two months to review ethics applications for research undertaken at LRH or our affiliate sites (see below) to ensure projects align with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023).

LRH HREC receives applications on a rolling basis, however high-risk ethics applications (HREAs) must be submitted two (2) weeks prior for consideration at the next meeting.  Once approved, LRH HREC will transfer applications to the LRH Research Governance Office for processing.

HREC meeting dates:

2024 HREC Meeting Dates                                     2024 High-Risk Application Submission Deadlines
Thursday 1 August                                                         Thursday 4 July
Thursday 3 October                                                     Thursday 5 September
Thursday 5 December                                                 Thursday 7 November

Researchers are required to provide progress reports and a final report for LRH HREC approved projects.

All persons interested in conducting research are encouraged to contact the HREC Office on 03 5173 5258 or email HREC@lrh.com.au before commencing applications.

RESEARCH GOVERNANCE OFFICE (RGO)

All projects undertaken at LRH require site governance approval.

This includes projects previously approved by LRH HREC or under the NMA system – an approved multi-site HREC committee.

Site research governance is obtained by LRH’s Research Governance Office (RGO) who facilitate feasibility and site capacity to ensure research undertaken conforms to the national standards including the National Clinical Trials Governance Framework.

There are four forms to complete as part of RGO applications:

• Site Specific Applications (SSA)
• Low Negligible Risk (LNR) applications
• High Risk Ethics (HREA) applications
• Quality Project applications

all of which will have received prior ethics approval.

All researchers included in an SSA application are required to provide a copy of their CV, registration (if applicable) and current Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certificate. All SSA applications to LRH HREC are submitted via ERM . The final application is a quality project application – please contact the LRH RGO for more information.

LRH Research Governance Office receives applications on a rolling basis for research undertaken at LRH or our affiliate sites. Final site governance approval for affiliate sites remains with the site.

Research teams undertaking RGO approved projects are required to provide progress reports and a final report.

All persons interested in obtaining site governance for research projects are encouraged to contact the RGO on 03 5173 5258 or email RGO@lrh.com.au prior to commencement of research projects.

Affiliate Sites: West Gippsland Healthcare Group, Central Gippsland Health, Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, Bass Coast Health.

Associate affiliate sites: Neerim Health, Orbost Regional Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service