Research

The Calvary Health Care Kogarah Research and Ethics Committee is committed to research. Its role is to:

• Ensure adherence to the philosophy of Calvary Health Care Services and the Catholic Church.
• Ensure that it is a monitoring body in relation to ethical issues and practice within Calvary Health Care Kogarah Service and to provide a consultative service to staff, patients and families.
• Be aware of and adhere to regulations regarding the conduct of research on humans and to follow the current literature issued by the NH&MRC.
• Provide surveillance of research projects until completion thereof so that the Committee may be satisfied that they continue to conform to approved ethical standards and research methodology.
• Identify and make recommendations on emerging moral and ethical issues insofar as they relate to the health care provided by Calvary Health Care Kogarah.
• Consider and advise on current problems and practices in respect of such issues as are identified.
• Examine and report on significant and complex cases arising in the health service or Calvary Health Care Kogarah.
• Recommend appropriate educational programs relating to ethical and moral matters for staff and/or Committee members.
• Ensure that the approval of research is accompanied by a protocol for the lodging of complaints, and that the complaints procedure is carried out.

Step One – Create submission

All submissions must be completed on the new REGIS system – some Local Health Districts are still transitioning to this ethics submission system so check with the Research Office in your Local Health District.  At some Local Health Districts the NEAF and LNR Forms are still accepted.

All applications must include a proposal, a copy of the Ethics Application (submitted on-line), a participant information and consent form, copies of any questionnaires and/or interview schedules; letter of invitation to participate in the research study or any other project related material.

All applications must be approved by a Human Research and Ethics Committee (HREC).  Calvary Health Care Kogarah Research and Ethics Committee only gives approval from a Catholic Health perspective.  We are not a Lead HREC.  Each LHD has its own HREC.

Step Two – Send submission

All submissions should be submitted electronically to Professor Liz Lobb, Chairperson, Calvary Health Care Kogarah Protocol Review Committee.

 [email protected]

Step Three – Protocol Review

All submissions will be reviewed by the Calvary Health Care Kogarah Protocol Review Committee.

 Template for Proposed Research Projects

Step Four – Assessment by Research and Ethics Committee

All submissions approved by the Protocol Review Committee will be forwarded to the Calvary Health Care Kogarah Research and Ethics Committee will be assessed for compliance with HREC requirements and with the Catholic Health Australia Code of Ethical Standards (LCMHC policy 5.2.2)

Step Five – Notification

Chief investigators will be notified in writing of each submission approved by the Calvary Health Care Kogarah Research and Ethics Committee.

Annual reports of all ratified proposals are required. Failure to submit regular progress reports may result in approval for the project being withdrawn.

Notification of completed research should be forwarded to the Chairperson Calvary Health Care Kogarah Research and Ethics Committee.

Calvary Health Care Kogarah’s Research and Ethics Committee meets bi-monthly. Calvary’s Protocol Review Committee will meet in the month prior to this meeting.