Research at the WCHN

Human Research Ethics

The Women's and Children's Health Network (WCHN) Human Research Ethics Committee's (HREC) responsibilities are outlined in its Terms of Reference. The HREC has responsibility to review, and where appropriate, approve research or audit projects involving patients, patients’ families, patient tissue, patient information, and/or WCHN staff.

Protocols involving a drug or therapeutic substance are also reviewed by the Drug and Therapeutics (DTC) Clinical Trials Group (CTG). The DTCCTG is an advisory and recommending body to the WCHN HREC. Its responsibilities are outlined in its Terms of Reference.

Before commencing a research project or audit, approval must be obtained from the WCHN HREC. In addition, research governance approval is required for all research projects before they may commence.

The WCHN HREC is a NHMRC certified Committee that operates in accordance with the principles set out in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. The National Statement is produced by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC); for more information on the NHMRC visit their website at http://www.nhmrc.gov.au.

For more information regarding submissions to the WCHN HREC see the relevant link below:

1. HREC 2016 Meeting Dates
2. HREC Submission of Documentation
3. National Ethics Application form (NEAF) submissions
4. Low and Negligible Risk (LNR) submissions
5. Multi-centre research: NEAF and LNR submissions – single ethical review
6. Protocol Amendments
7. Audit submissions
8. Complaints/concerns
9. Alternate Contact Form / Information sheet
10. Contact WCHN HREC
11. HREC and related forms/documents/policies

last modified: 14 Apr 2016

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