About Us

The SWSLHD Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is an accredited Lead HREC under the National Mutual Acceptance Scheme and therefore can review applications for ethical consideration for research to be undertaken within Australia under this Scheme. The SWSLHD Chief Executive, in authorising a proposal, can accept proof of ethical approval from either the SWSLHD HREC or an accredited Lead HREC under this Scheme.

HREC

 The Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is responsible for the scientific and ethical review of a study. Our office facilitates the review and decisions of ethics applications between the researchers and the HREC.

Once an ethics application for a study has been approved, separate site-specific authorisation is required.

RGO

Site-specific authorisation is obtained through the local Research Governance Office (RGO). The RGO authorises the commencement of research at a site under their jurisdiction by reviewing the resource, contractual and regulatory aspects of the research study.

Research activities at a site can only begin after authorisation has been granted by the relevant RGO.

Further resources:

Terms of Reference
Standard Operating Procedures

Sites covered by the SWSLHD Research Governance Office:

South Western Sydney Local Health District Sites

Hospitals
Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital
Bowral and District Hospital
Camden Hospital
Campbelltown Hospital
Fairfield Hospital
Liverpool Hospital
Karitane

If intending as a district-wide project, “South Western Sydney Local Health District (site)” should be selected in REGIS as it covers all hospitals in SWSLHD.

South Western Sydney Local Health District Community Health Centres
Bankstown Community Health Centre
Bowral Community Health Centre
Cabramatta Community Health Centre
Fairfield Community Health Centre
Hoxton Park Community Health Centre
Ingleburn Community Health Centre
Liverpool Community Health Centre
Miller Community Centre
Moorebank Community Health Centre
Narellan Community Health Centre
Prairiewood Community Health Centre
Rosemeadow Community Health Centre
Wollondilly Health Centre
Wingecarribee Community Health Centre
 

Functional Units
Local Units
Campbelltown Mental Health Service
FLYHT Youth Centre
Service for the treatment and rehabilitation of torture and trauma survivors (STARTTS)
Ingham Institute

While SWSLHD is able to grant ethics approval for private sites, please ensure proper governance authorisation is obtained for the participating private sites.

Model of Ethics and Governance in NSW

The NSW Health Policy Directive for single ethical and scientific review of multicentre research establishes a system of Lead HRECs which are accredited to ethically review human research undertaken in the NSW public health system. HRECs may be accredited to review clinical and or general research for multicentre research proposals. A list of accredited (Lead) HRECs in NSW is available on the NSW Health website.

The aims of this single review system are to:

• Ensure more effective use of resources.
• Improve the quality and effectiveness of the ethical and scientific reviews.
• Allow acceptable multi-centre research to commence in a timely manner.

This policy recognises that ethical review may be undertaken on a single, state wide basis by an accredited HREC (Lead HREC).

It views organisational issues such as resourcing, investigator qualifications and legal matters as being site specific and related to research governance.

Human research may only commence when the Chief Executive of LHD, or his/her delegate, has authorised the commencement of research upon being assured that ethical approval has been granted (by a Lead HREC or the local HREC) and all site specific matters (research governance) per the Site Specific Assessment (SSA) have been appropriately reviewed and conform to NSW Health policy standards.