HSC R&D Division is excited to announce the commencement of the new HSC R&D Approvals team. Bernie Pearson will be leading the new approvals service which aims to streamline research approvals in line with the other UK Nations and prepare Northern Ireland Research Infrastructure to support the forthcoming UK Policy aspiration for one UK Research Governance and Ethics approval.
Laura Moore has commenced a new post as HSC R&D Approvals Senior Manager which is an expert post created to manage the operations of the new team of research assessors that will be responsible for reviewing HSC research applications including completion of study wide governance reports and ensuring costing information at submission is satisfactory. Laura is supported by a team of research assessors, Danielle Upritchard and Emma McAuley and another postholder T.B.C.
As part of the centralisation of research governance services the HSC Research Gateway team have moved to the HSC R&D Division situated in the Public Health Agency from the Western Health and Social Care Trust. The HSC Research Gateway receives HSC Research Applications and completes a validation of applications before routing throughout the HSC Trusts depending on which site the research will be taking place.
It is anticipated that the team will be spending the forthcoming period settling into their new posts, helping to create their workflows and undertaking intensive research governance training before confirming a service commencement date.
Creation of the new Research Approvals service has been a long-term aspiration for the health research community across Northern Ireland. Please keep an eye on our newsletter for any updates relating to HSC Research Approvals.