HRA Latest - August 2024

Health Research Authority sent this bulletin at 29-08-2024 03:12 PM BST

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HRA Latest - August 2024

Welcome to HRA Latest, with news and updates for those working or involved in health and social care research.

This month, we're pleased to share a new report with 19 recommendations on how to make clinical research for participants truly people-centred.

There's also some brilliant opportunities to support our work this month; we're looking for doctors and pharmacists to volunteer as Research Ethics Committee (REC) members, and we have some Non-Executive Director vacancies. Read on to find out more about these specific roles and how to apply.

We have a blog by our Data and Privacy Specialist, Dr Alison Knight, about how we can improve information governance assurances to support faster study set up at research sites, and we share a reminder of changes to progress and safety reports that came into effect this summer.

Professor Matt Westmore, next Chief Executive of the HRA

We're no longer active on X, but for the latest news, you can follow us on LinkedIn or sign up for updates on specific topics you're interested in.

Matt Westmore
Chief Executive

pharmacist smiling at camera for REC recruitment campaign

#StepForward and and volunteer as a research ethics committee member

We’re inviting doctors and pharmacists to #StepForward and volunteer as a Research Ethics Committee (REC) member to support vital health and social care research.

As a REC member you’ll meet virtually to review health and social care research proposals, making make sure the research is ethical and fair for the people taking part.

You’ll also learn new skills, gain insights into research ethics, develop professionally and personally, and receive regular training and support.

You can also apply to share the role with someone else to halve the workload of being part of a REC.

Find out more and apply

Graphic with cartoon people. Text says people-centred clinical research

New report makes recommendations to improve clinical research for participants

We’ve published a new report which makes recommendations for system-wide change to support people to take part in research or to improve clinical research for participants.

The report shares data from a survey carried out in 2023, as well as feedback from groups who we had conversations with. We found that there were barriers that can stop research from being people-centred, as well as things that can help.

We grouped these under four headings and made 19 recommendations for actions that researchers need to take.

Read the report

Non-Executive Director vacancies

We're recruiting three Non-Executive Directors, who will be part of the HRA Board and will play a key role in the effective governance and leadership of the organisation.

This is a great opportunity to contribute to the HRA’s statutory duty to protect and promote the interest of patients and the public in health and social care research.

Find out more

Graphic with the blog title and a photo of Alison.

Seven proposals for improving information governance assurances

We recently did a survey to better understand how we can improve our information governance assurances, so that we can support faster, more streamlined study set-up at research sites.

We've now analysed the results and come up with seven proposals for actions we can take, and we want to hear your views.

Read more about the proposals and find out how you can feed back in a blog by Data and Privacy Specialist, Dr Alison Knight.

Read the blog

Photo of mobile phone with social media account up. We're no longer active on X.

Hearing from the HRA

We’re reviewing our social media channels, and the other ways in which we keep you up to date with our work. If you’re on a social media channel and think we should be there too, please tell us about it. There’s more information on how to keep in touch on our website.

Sign up for updates

photo of form with fountain pen ticking a yes box

Important changes to progress and safety reports

We've made some changes to our Research Ethics Committee (REC) processes for progress reports and safety reports to help reduce the burden on researchers.

The changes were applied to research approved by RECs in England and Wales from 1 June and came into effect in Scotland and Northern Ireland from Thursday 1 August.

Read about the changes

News from across UK research

Below are some updates you may have missed about health and social care research in the UK:

the UK has secured £400 million of investment in a world-first public and private collaboration to boost clinical trials and support acceleration of research
the MHRA have collaborated with Genomics England to deliver the Yellow Card Biobank study to research severe adverse reactions experienced by some patients to two medications- allopurinol or direct oral anticoagulants
Innovate UK has announced funding for 24 projects developing immersive digital mental health therapeutics. The funding from Innovate UK’s £20 million Mindset programme aims to drive the growth of immersive digital mental health solutions in the UK.

HRA Now - operational updates

HRA Now sends you everything you need to know where there are changes to the way we work

Here are some recent important updates you may have missed from HRA Now: