Research ethics and governance
Research that is conducted at Kids Research and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN), involving patients, staff, and the public, is overseen by the SCHN Research Ethics and Governance Unit.
Research projects submitted to the SCHN Research Ethics Office undergo a rigorous review process through the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) or one of its sub-committees. Projects are reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), and concurrently by the Drug Committee and Radiation Safety, as required.
Membership of the SCHN is in accordance with the NHMRC’s National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007), with members having experience across a range of disciplines including basic laboratory studies, paediatric clinical drug and device trials, epidemiological and quantitative studies, and, qualitative studies.
The SCHN HREC is certified by the National Health and Medical Research Council for the review of paediatric clinical trials and clinical research. It also has international accreditation in the US as an Institutional Review Board.
SCHN Research Governance provides oversight and management of research through the implementation of processes that ensure accountability, responsibility and transparency. To commence a human research project at Kids Research you must have appropriate HREC approval and site authorisation (which is achieved via submission of a Site Specific Application to the SCHN Research Governance office).
Research Governance ensures research compliance with legislation, regulations, and codes of good practice, thereby safeguarding the rights and safety of participants while protecting and promoting the integrity of research and investigators. It also ensures that the necessary authorisations are secured and that the resources required to accommodate each research project have been negotiated and are available.
Animal Ethics
Kids Research investigators seek and gain the approval of the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI)/The Children’s Hospital Westmead (CHW) Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) prior to commencing any research involving animals.
The CMRI/CHW AEC ensures that animals required for research receive humane care in accordance with the highest ethical standards, laws, regulations and policies governing animal research.
