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  • Home
  • Research Units
    • Allied and Community Health
    • Anaesthetics
    • Emergency Medicine
    • Intensive Care
    • Medicine and Specialties
    • Paediatrics
    • Pharmacy
    • Professorial Academic Unit
    • Radiology
    • Surgery and Specialties
    • Women’s Health
  • Ethics & Governance
    • Office for Research
    • New Ethics Applications
    • New Governance Applications
    • Post Approval Submissions
    • Forms, Policies & Templates
    • Human Research Ethics Committee
  • Clinical Trials
    • Partner with Peninsula Health
    • Participating in Research
    • Search for a Clinical Trial
  • Support Our Work
  • News

Low and Negligible Risk Research

Please note that this section does not apply to the following types of studies:

  • Quality assurance projects (QA)
  • More than low risk research (HREC)
  • Multi-site research (SERP including NMA)

 

All single-site low risk research will be reviewed by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The HREC reviews all research applications which involve patients, clients, residents or staff of Peninsula Health, whether undertaken by a Peninsula Health staff member or an external researcher. 

Negligible and low risk is described in the National Statement as:

  1. Negligible risk – where there is no foreseeable risk of harm or discomfort; and any foreseeable risk is no more than inconvenience
  2. Low risk – where the only foreseeable risk is one of discomfort.

 

Types of research that are not Low Risk

  • Qualitative research projects by a person without appropriate experience
  • Research being conducted overseas
  • Research investigating illegal activity or research that is likely to discover illegal activity
  • Research investigating issues focusing on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders or the identification of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders recruited as a separate subgroup of participants
  • Research involving:
    • Collection of tissue (eg blood, urine, biopsy tissue)
    • Collection, use or disclosure of identifiable information without the consent of the individual whose information it is (including waiver of consent requests)
    • Covert observation, deception of participants or concealment of the purpose of the research
    • Human genetics
    • Human stem cells
    • Interventions or therapies including clinical and non-clinical trials and innovations
    • Patient family members
    • Radiation additional to standard care
    • Randomisation or use of a control group
    • Sensitive topics (eg death, significant illness, state of mood, depression and anxiety, sexuality, religion)
    • Vulnerable participants (eg children, those dependent on care, people with a mental illness, elderly people, pregnant women, those who are not competent

 

Low Risk Confirmation

Submit a protocol (templates below) to HREC@phcn.vic.gov.au. 

The protocol will be reviewed by the Manager Office for Research to ensure it meets the criteria for a low risk project.  You will be notified by email of the outcome of this review and the correct application forms required to complete your application. 

  • Protocol Templates

A Basic template Protocol is available.

 

Application Information

All applications must be submitted through ERM Applications. 

A list of documents required for submission is available from here.  Please note this document also contains details of the documentation required for post-approval submissions.

 

Submission requirements

Click here for HREC submission deadlines and meeting dates for 2023.

Research applications will be returned if they do not comply with the submission requirements. 

A maximum of 5 new applications will be reviewed at each HREC meeting. The first 5 completed applications submitted will be accepted. An application is considered complete when it complies with the submission instructions and includes all required signatures.

  • Pre-Screen Submission 

Submit completed application via ERM Applications by the New Study Pre-Screen Deadline.  This will allow time for the Office for Research to undertake a preliminary review of the application.  Recommendations regarding the final submission will be made where required.

  • Final Submission 

If there have been any modifications to the application after the Pre-Screen Submission, the revised application (including any documents modified based on feedback from the Office for Research) will need to be re-submitted via ERM Applications by the Agenda Closure Deadline.  

ERM’s electronic signature process is to be used for all required signatures, including Head of Department and Heads of Supporting Departments.

 

Fees

Fees are not applicable for review of Low Risk applications unless the project is commercially sponsored. Please ensure you are aware of any applicable fees and payment requirements prior to submitting. 

 

Notification of Review Outcome

The outcome of the HREC review will be sent via ERM by the Office for Research within 7 days of the HREC meeting.  The outcome will detail the decision of the HREC and any modifications/amendments required before the Approval to Commence letter is issued. 

Research must not commence until a formal signed approval has been received.

 

After Approval

Researchers must comply with the monitoring and reporting requirements for approved research detailed in the approval to commence letter. 

Requirements for post-approval changes and reporting are available from here.

Contact us

Director of Research
Professor Velandai Srikanth
velandai.srikanth@monash.edu
(03) 9788 1722

Manager, Office for Research
Lee-Anne Clavarino
lclavarino@phcn.vic.gov.au
(03) 9784 2679

Ethics and Governance
HREC@phcn.vic.vic.au

Research Governance
RGO@phcn.vic.gov.au
(03) 9784 2680

Office 2Q09, Ngarnga Centre
PO Box 52
Frankston Hospital
Frankston VIC, 3199

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