Start Here
1. Contact the Research Office (research@awh.org.au) - we're here to help you get started!
2. Read relevant Research Office Documents (see section below), research guidance material, the fee schedule and the pathway to research flowchart (at the bottom of the page)
3. Complete the GCP training module (and get a certificate) OR find your current GCP certificate
4. Check the AWH Human Research Ethics Committee meeting deadlines for submission dates
5. Create a protocol using the relevant Protocol Template (see section below) and complete the Review Pathway Checklist at the end of the protocol
6. Submit a Research Request Form for review by the Research Office - attach your draft protocol
7. Research request approved? The Research Office will provide guidance on the next steps, such as getting ready for ethical review.
8. Do you want to publish your research? Please let us know! Complete the Request to Publish Form so we can help you get appropriate sign-off. If you're doing a Case Study, please use the AWH Case Study Consent Form to gain consent from your patient.
Protocol Templates
The Research Office has developed templates to help you form a protocol for your project. Each template includes guidance on each section and is tailored towards project type. Please contact the Research Office (research@awh.org.au) for assistance with your protocol.
Use the Research Protocol Template for general research projects
Use the Clinical Trial Protocol Template if you are initiating a clinical trial
Use the Quality Improvement Project Protocol Template if you are conducting a quality improvement project that may require ethical review (contact the Research Office for guidance)
NHMRC Standardised participant information and consent forms (PICFs): https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/research-policy/ethics/ethical-issues-and-resources (bottom of the webpage)
Research Video Series
Hear about the work we do in the Research Office and from some of our clinician researchers.
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Past Library and Research Newsletters
Project submission due dates
Research Office review
To ensure that research protocols and associated documents are of a high standard before being submitted to the AWHHREC, pre-ethical review of projects will be undertaken by the Research Office. Research Office staff have research experience and are able to assist with protocol development.
Draft protocols for new projects can be submitted to the Research Office at least one month before the AWH Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) meeting date. This allows time for the Research Office to review the protocol and associated documents to ensure they are ready for ethical review. After review by the Research Office, researchers will be guided through submission to the AWHHREC on ERM.
2024 Project Submission Dates
|
New project Research Request Form due before/on With draft protocol |
Submission to AWHHREC due on ERM New projects, amendments and reports |
AWHHREC meeting date You will be invited to attend |
|
Wed 1st May |
Wed 22nd May |
Wed 5th Jun |
|
Wed 3rd Jul |
Wed 24 Jul |
Wed 7th Aug |
|
Wed 28th Aug |
Wed 18th Sept |
Wed 2nd Oct |
|
Wed 2nd Oct |
Wed 23rd Oct |
Wed 6th Nov (Optional Meeting) |
|
Wed 30th Oct |
Wed 20th Nov |
Wed 4th Dec |
ERM Resources
Researchers need to submit their application through ERM. Refer to the Applicant User Guide to ERM or visit the Clinical Trials and Research website for guidance.
The following training videos may help if you are new to ERM:
🎓 Create a new project and transfer a project
🎓 Create and transfer sub-forms
AWHHREC Governance Documents
Albury Wodonga Health Human Research Ethics Committee Terms of Reference
Fee Schedule for Ethics and Governance 💲
The fees for the submission of research applications are below and include GST. Invoices for governance and ethics fees are sent to the Principal Investigator. Ethics fees are only associated with projects requiring HREA.
|
|
Governance |
Ethics |
Amendments |
|
Commercially sponsored clinical trials |
$1,650 |
$3,300 |
$550 |
|
Unsponsored clinical trials |
$330 |
$660 |
$220 |
|
Non-clinical trials (non-student / employee) |
$110 |
$220 |
$0 |
|
Employee initiated trials |
$0 |
$55 |
$0 |
Members of the Albury Wodonga Health Human Research Ethics Committee (AWHHREC)
The AWHHREC is constituted as per the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023
|
Name and affiliation |
National Statement member category |
AWH staff? |
|
Tegwyn McManamny Director Clinical Safety & Quality, Albury Wodonga Health |
Chairperson |
Yes |
|
Nyra Fell Practice Manager, Luke Baitch Specialist Anaesthetist |
Community member |
No |
|
Karen Trenchard Family Room & Education Coordinator, Ronald McDonald House Charities |
Community member |
No |
|
Mark Norden Medical Director, Women’s & Children’s Health, Albury Wodonga Health |
Professional care of people |
Yes |
|
Bridget Rusike My Step to Mental Wellbeing Counsellor, Murrumbidgee Local Health District |
Professional care of people |
No |
|
Tapiwa Rusike Pharmacist, Albury Wodonga Health |
Professional care of people |
Yes |
|
Phillip Steele General Practitioner/Obstetrician, Federation Clinic, Wodonga |
Professional care of people |
No |
|
Amy Vaccaro Clinical Nurse Educator, Albury Wodonga Health |
Professional care of people |
Yes |
|
Catherine Dawson Minister of Religion and Pastoral Care Coordinator, Albury Wodonga Health |
Pastoral care |
Yes |
|
Melanie Robb Retired Lawyer |
Lawyer |
No |
|
Mark Ashcroft Chief Executive Officer, Beechworth Health Service |
Research experience |
No |
|
Guinever Threlkeld Head of Campus, LaTrobe University, Wodonga |
Research experience |
No |
|
Hong Yu Consultant Physician/Geriatrician, Albury Wodonga Health |
Research experience |
Yes |
Code of Conduct
Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) is committed to supporting the conduct of safe, quality research to further develop the body of knowledge informing healthcare, particularly as it relates to the community of Albury Wodonga and their healthcare needs. On this page are the key resources, contacts and procedures for undertaking research at AWH to ensure compliance with the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research (2018).
The AWH Research Office follows the core values of:
- honesty and integrity in research;
- respect for human research participants;
- good stewardship of public resources to carry out research;
- appropriate acknowledgment of those involved in research;
- responsible communication of research results.
The Guide to Managing and Investigating Potential Breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018) outlines the framework for investigating and managing potential breaches of the Code. This framework is reflected in the AWH Complaints Procedure.
Doing a Case Study?
If you'd like to do a case study or a case series (≤ 10 people) you don't need approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee. However, you will need institutional approval to publish.
Please use the AWH Case Study Consent Form to gain consent from your patient/s. Attach it to the AWH Request to Publish Form to gain approval to publish. Contact us (research@awh.org.au) if you need help.
Publishing Your Research 📚
Please complete the Request to Publish - AWH Staff or Data form so we can get appropriate sign-off for you.
This includes case studies, conference proceedings and research papers.
Want to get involved in an external multi-site research project?
Contact the Research Office (research@awh.org.au) with the details of the trial/project and Research Office staff will help coordinate ethics and research governance requirements.
Conducting a clinical trial at AWH?
Your trial should be registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. If you haven’t already done this, please do so as soon as possible so that your project is registered before the first participant is recruited. Please pass on the details of the registration to the Research Office so we have a record.
The clinical trial must comply with all relevant Commonwealth laws and regulations, including:
- The Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Cth) (TG Act)
- The Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990 (Cth)
- Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
- Privacy Act 2000 (Vic)
- Health Records Act 2001 (Vic)
Resources:
- The Australian Clinical Trial Handbook
- Is aimed at clinical trials under the CTN scheme
- Victorian Clinical Trials Education Centre (V-CTEC)
- This includes free training and resources for those conducting clinical trials. You just need to register to gain access.
- NHMRC’s eLearning module: Clinical Trials Environment in Australia
- Information, resources and training videos
- Victorian Coordinating Office for Clinical Trials and Research
- Information on the governance of clinical trials in Victoria
- Support with ERM