Research Governance
Research Governance Frameworks
The Research Governance
Framework for Health and Social Care sets out the broad principles
of good research governance. The first English edition was issued
in March 2001. The second edition was issued in April
2005. Similar Frameworks exist also for Wales, Scotland and
Northern Ireland.
The English version is
available from the
Department of Health where there is also a link to those
for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These frameworks
cover all research undertaken within the Department of Health and
the NHS and research undertaken by local authority social care
organisations.
An amendment to Edition 2
of the Research Governance Framework for England has been made by
the Department of Health in November 2006 to correct some detailed
information about multinational clinical trials.
Footnote
21
at the
bottom of Page 34 now states "The Regulations require a sponsor to
be established or have a legal representative, in the European
Community. Neither of them need be established in the United
Kingdom." See also the Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ) 
on the NHS R&D Forum web site.
What is Research Governance?
Research Governance:
- Sets out principles, requirements and standards
- Defines mechanisms to deliver them
- Describes monitoring and assessment arrangements
- Improves research and safeguards the public by:
- enhancing ethical awareness and scientific quality
- promoting good practice
- reducing adverse incidents and ensuring lessons are learned
- forestalling poor performance and misconduct
-
design research studies
- participate in research
- host research in their organisation
- fund research proposals or infrastructure
- manage research
- undertake research
- Is for managers and staff, in
all professional groups, no matter how senior or junior
- Is for those working in all
health and social care research environments, including:
- primary care
- secondary care
- tertiary care
- social care
- public health
circ@rcgp.org.uk
020 3188 7597