As defined by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Research Governance refers to the processes used by institutions to ensure that they are accountable for the research conducted under their auspices. To be properly governed, research must be conducted according to established ethical principles, guidelines for responsible research conduct, relevant legislation and regulations and institutional policy.
Research governance is vital to ensure patient safety during a research project and is a mechanism whereby each facility can confirm that any departments or individuals required to perform activities as part of a research project are willing to undertake them, are aware of their responsibilities and are capable of fulfilling them.
All research activity that is to be undertaken within Ramsay Health Care must have both Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and Research Governance approval in place.
Details regarding HREC applications and how to apply can be found on our Research Ethics page.
Conducting Research in a Ramsay Facility
Ramsay reviews Governance applications from Researchers who are accredited practitioners at Ramsay facilities, and Ramsay Health Care staff members.
Governance applications are prepared and submitted through our Research, Ethics and Governance portal (REGGS) - See our REGGS page for details and Helpful Resources.
For more information on how to submit applications in REGGS, please see our REGGS How-To guides or view our training webinars
Research Governance Requirements
Research Governance applications will be reviewed by both the National Research Unit and the relevant Facility Executive (e.g. CEO, Director of Clinical Services or Director of Medical Services). Where required, an application may also be sent to the Facility’s Medical Advisory Committee or other relevant specialist clinical group/individual for more detailed review.
In order to commence a Research Governance review, please log into the REGGS Portal and complete the Project Registration. This will establish whether governance approval and/or ethics approval will be required for your proposed study. It will also link all Ramsay Sites where you will be conducting your research.
To facilitate timely review, Ramsay Governance will review applications for research pending finalisation of other documents (such as a CTRA or CTN) as these changes are unlikely to impact on the Research Governance, which focuses on the impact of the research on the facility resources and any considerations for patient safety. However please note that applications will not be approved until HREC approval and any updated documentation are provided.
You can download a Governance Checklist of required documentation to be submitted as part of your application.
When preparing your Site- specific PISCFs: Please note that an internal Ramsay person who is not directly involved in the research must be listed as a contact for complaints on the PISCF (e.g. Facility Director of Clinical Services or member of the National Research Unit).
Please note that any Research Governance approval from Ramsay Health Care is subject to certain conditions, such as having a valid HREC approval for the study and maintaining all relevant insurances required for the research activity. These conditions will be outlined in your notification of approval.
Please contact the National Research Unit should you have any questions related to pending documentation.
Contact Us
For further information and queries, please email ResearchGovernance@ramsayhealth.com.au or call or the Ramsay National Research Unit on (02) 9433 3854.
The address for the Ramsay National Research Unit and the Research Governance Office is:
Ramsay Hospital Research Foundation
Level 7, Tower B,
7 Westbourne St,
St Leonards NSW 2065