Ethics support on the way for researchers in public hospitals
WA Health is streamlining its ethical review and governance process for medical research to provide greater consistency across the system.
The move to a centralised system commenced in February 2024 and aims to reduce the time it takes for a research project to obtain human research ethics approval. The Department’s Research Data, Ethics and Governance Services A/Manager Dr Lesley Banfield said the transition was scheduled to be complete by mid-2025.
‘This is good news for the research community and future patients who will benefit from more consistent and faster review and approval timelines for new research, meaning life-saving trials can be conducted safely and efficiently,’ Dr Banfield said.
‘When this important reform is finalised, HSP HRECS will cease, and support provided by the Central Office for Research Ethics (CORE) will free up capacity for HSPs to provide support and guidance to researchers as they plan and develop their research ideas.
The process does not change for research conducted independently of the WA health system.’
To ensure HSP research ethics applications reach the right people during the transition and research programs continue smoothly, submissions should be sent to the Central HREC or existing HSP HRECs via the Research Governance Service (RGS), as detailed on the Department of Health (external site) website and the RGS home page.
Royal Perth Hospital, WA Country Health Service, Women’s and Newborn Health Service and North Metropolitan Area Mental Health HRECs are no longer accepting submissions for review.
Researchers can seek more information and support in preparing ethics and governance submissions by contacting the relevant team below:
Central Office for Research Ethics (CORE)
- WA Health Central Human Research Ethics Committee (external site)
- 08 9222 4214 | hrec@health.wa.gov.au
Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS)
- Child and Adolescent Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee (external site)
- 08 6456 0516 | CAHS.Ethics@health.wa.gov.au
North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS)
- Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Health Care Group Human Research Ethics Committee (external site)
- 08 6457 2999 | SCGH.HREC@health.wa.gov.au