Governance
Site authorisation
Research projects to be conducted at SCHN must attain site authorisation via the Site Specific Assessment (SSA or STE) through the Research Governance office before they commence. Ethics approval is required before site authorisation can be granted.
SSA applications must be finalised within 60 days of lodging the application with REGIS to comply with reportable metrics to the NSW Office of Health and Medical Research (OHMR) and the SCHN Chief Executive.
Please see our Research Governance application process for more information.
The Research Governance Office complies with all relevant Australian and NSW Government legislation, policies and guidelines, such as the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (National Statement) and The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.
Sites overseen by the Research Governance Office:
- Bear Cottage
- The Children’s Court Clinic
- The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
- Neonatal Emergency Transport Service (NETS)
- NSW Pregnancy and Newborn Services Network
- Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick
Frequently asked questions
What is research governance?
Research governance is the framework used for the assessment, authorisation and oversight of research conducted at a site. This framework ensures you comply with all institutional, regulatory and legal requirements for your research project.
What is site authorisation?
Site authorisation refers to the process of ensuring institutions are held accountable for research which is conducted and monitored at a site. It is one of the last steps to complete before commencing a research project. Site authorisation is requested through the Site Specific Assessment (SSA), submitted through REGIS.
The Research Governance Office at the SCHN will conduct governance review for all research being conducted at any of our sites.
What does 'authorised with conditions' mean?
There are some circumstances in which the Research Governance Office can authorise the SSA with conditions that are expected to be resolved at a future date. The study may still commence but the conditions must be followed until the conditional authorisation is removed.
Conditions will be removed once fulfilled and an updated Research Governance Authorisation Letter will be sent.
Do I still need HIU approval if I already have access to the medical record?
Yes. Accessing the medical record for the purposes of research is separate to any other form of access you may already have (i.e. as part of clinical duties at SCHN).
Is it one invoice authorisation form per amendment submission on REGIS?
Research Governance amendment fees are intended to mirror HREC amendment approvals. A single Research Governance amendment on REGIS that contains multiple HREC approvals (with each approval being considered either a Major or Minor amendment) may incur multiple fees. The reviewing SCHN Research Governance Officer will contact you if multiple fees are required for your amendment submission.
Contact the Research Governance office
Email: SCHN-Governance@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 7825 3011
Mailing Addresses:
- The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Kids Research Building, Corner Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead NSW 2145.
- Locked Bag 4001, Westmead NSW 2145