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Ethics approval2017-12-11T05:32:46+00:00

Ethics approval

Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval is the first step in the research process, required for all human research conducted within Metro North. This is the first step in the research process required for all human research conducted within Metro North. There are two HRECs within Metro North for researchers to submit their ethics applications:

  • The Prince Charles Hospital HREC (EC00168)
  • Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital HREC (EC00172).

Metro North is also a participant of the national approach to single ethical review of multi-centre research. Single ethical and scientific review of multi-centre clinical trials can occur via an appropriate NHMRC certified HREC in other jurisdictions and, for other study types, at another certified HREC in Queensland Health.

All ethics applications, apart from requests for ethics exemption (which follows the Request for exemption guideline), should be made to a Metro North HREC using the Human Research Ethics Application (HREA) or Low or Negligible Risk (LNR) form available via Online Forms.

If you created a National Ethics Application (NEAF) before 31 August 2017, you can complete the form, upload supporting documents, electronically authorise and submit the application. Site specific assessment (SSA) forms can still be created.

Ethics application process

The steps outlined below are a guideline for the ethics application process.

A project protocol is an essential element of all applications, and should be developed early in the research process. The protocol guideline is provided to help you write your research protocol for HREC submission.

The NHMRC provides researchers with Participant information and consent form (PICF) templates. It is not compulsory to use these templates however they are useful tools and accepted by both HRECs located within Metro North. Standardised PICF templates can be obtained from the NHMRC website:

There are three types of applications submitted to an HREC, based on the level of risk to the human participants of the research:

All ethics applications, apart from requests for ethics exemption (which follows the Request for exemption guideline), should be made to a Metro North HREC using the Human Research Ethics Application (HREA) or Low or Negligible Risk (LNR) form available via Online Forms.

The Online forms – How to make an application is a guideline designed to help you through the process of completing ethics and Site Specific Assessment applications using Online Forms. Further help and information is available at Online Forms under the ‘Help’ tab (see the ‘Applications within Qld Health’ under the ‘Guidance’ sub-heading).

The HREA Form is now live. If you created a National Ethics Application (NEAF) before 31 August 2017, you can complete the form, upload supporting documents, electronically authorise and submit the application. Site specific assessment (SSA) forms can still be created.

Complete the Human Research Ethics Committee site requirements HREC Checklist.

The checklist outlines the mandatory submission requirements, including supporting documentation.

This should be completed by the Coordinating Principal Investigator (CPI). The CPI is the person who will submit the research project to the HREC on behalf of other sites and coordinate the ethical submission.

Applications must be submitted by 12.00pm on the closing date. View Metro North HREC Meetings and submission closing dates.

Please note there are no exceptions. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Submission of hard copy applications can be made by post or in person to the correct HREC office. Once the online ethics application is finalised, create a submission code using the “Submission” tab. Refer to the Metro North HREC Checklist for full electronic submission requirements.

Low or negligible risk guideline describes the ethics review process for low or negligible risk research within Metro North.

After obtaining ethics approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) applicable to your research, you must obtain site authorisation by submitting a site specific assessment (SSA) for research governance approval at all facilities you intend to conduct research.

Frequently asked questions

Investigators are required to obtain ethical approval and site authorisation before implementing any amendment to a previously authorised study. Any changes to the project, e.g. addition of a site, changes to the protocol, PICF or study personnel, should be outlined in a cover letter from the Principal Investigator to the Chairperson of the relevant HREC and accompanied by all updated documents in two forms: one with tracked changes and one clean copy. The cover letter should state the changes and the reason for the changes.

For projects approved by a Metro North HREC, the relevant documents should be submitted to the HREC office both electronically (via email) and in hard copy and uploaded through the Online Forms website by the Principal Investigator. The Chair will review the amendments and make a decision outside of the HREC meeting or refer the amendment to the next scheduled HREC meeting for review.

If the amendment involves the addition of a site, then a new Site Specific Assessment will need to be submitted to the Research Governance Officer at that site. The relevant site Research Governance Officer should be notified of all HREC approved amendments to existing site approved projects.

HREC decisions, or requests for additional information prior to an HREC decision, will be made in writing to the Principal Investigator with reference to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. If you disagree with the HREC ruling or have concerns about the ethical review process, it is recommended that you discuss your concerns with the HREC Chairperson or Coordinator in the first instance to ensure both parties are aware of the basis for the decision and the concerns raised. Alternatively, and in all cases where the issue cannot be resolved via discussion, you should put your concerns, including the basis for these concerns, in writing to the Chairperson of the HREC to enable a formal review and response to occur. The Executive Director of Research should be notified of matters not adequately addressed by this process.

Single and multi-centre amendments

The following checklist details the requirements that your amendment submission should include.

Data archiving, retention and disposal

This guideline provides details on archiving, retention and disposal of research data.

Contact us

The Prince Charles Hospital

Research office
Building 14
Rode Road
CHERMSIDE QLD 4032

Human Research and Ethics Committee
Phone: (07) 3139 4500
Open: Monday-Friday, 8.00am-3.00pm
Email: ResearchTPCH@health.qld.gov.au
Chairperson: Dr Russell Denman
Coordinator and Manager: Anne Carle

Research Governance Officer
Phone: (07) 3139 4407
Open: Monday-Friday, 8.00am-3.00pm
Email: RGOTPCH@health.qld.gov.au
Contact: Ascar Yu

Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital

Human Research Ethics Office
Level 7, Block 7
Butterfield Street
HERSTON QLD 4029
Phone: (07) 3646 6132
Open: Monday-Friday, 7.30am-4.00pm
Email: RBWH-Ethics@health.qld.gov.au
Acting Chairperson: Dr Allison Sutherland
Coordinator: Ann-Maree Gordon

Research Services
Lower ground floor, Executive Offices
James Mayne Building
HERSTON QLD 4029
Phone: (07) 3646 8579
Fax: (07) 3646 2355
Open:  Monday-Friday, 7.45am-3.45pm
Email: RBWH-RGO@health.qld.gov.au
Contact: Jacqueline Robinson

Redcliffe, Caboolture and Kilcoy Hospitals and Community, Indigenous and Subacute Services

Research Office
Redcliffe Hospital
Anzac Avenue
REDCLIFFE QLD 4020

Research Governance Officer
Phone: (07) 3883 7243
Open: Monday-Friday, 8.00am-4.30pm
Email: RCRGO@health.qld.gov.au
Contact: Vanessa Constable

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