The Eye and Ear Hospital clinical departments are supportive and encouraging of research projects conducted by Eye and Ear staff and research partners. There are logistical considerations when research is to involve these resources including staff and infrastructure and there may be a fee for service.
If your research project involves a supporting department of the Eye and Ear Hospital, for routine procedures and research project specific procedures, you will need to contact the Head of the supporting department:
If the Eye and Ear is not an investigational site, please also contact the Research Office to organise a Service Agreement for the Eye and Ear to provide services for external research projects.
1. Pre-HREC submission or site specific assessment
- Contact the Head of the supporting department to discuss your research project (refer to table below for specific department details).
- Submit documented approval by submitting a signed Research Supporting Department Declaration Form with your HREC and/or SSA application(s).
2. Once you have Research Governance Authorisation from the Eye and Ear Hospital
The research team will need to contact the Head of supporting department to make arrangements for the study to be conducted.
The research team will need to supply:
a. Letter of ethical approval from the Reviewing HREC
b. Cover Sheet for new research project
c. Letter of Research Governance Authorisation from the Eye and Ear Research Office
d. Final approved protocol as listed on the letter of ethical approval from the Reviewing HREC
e. Information about what you are asking the supporting department to do and when, such as (but not limited to)
i. Recruitment information
ii. Procedures in the clinical space
iii. Timing
iv. Eye and Ear staff requirements
Clinical Trials and complex Protocols may require a meeting with the Head of supporting department.
| Department | Primary Contact | Pre-HREC submission
Required documentation for review |
Pre-HREC submission
Time frame for review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audiology | Stefan Wigg
Business Manager |
|
Submit request and documentation at least 3 weeks prior to the HREC submission date |
| Balance Disorders and Ataxia Service
|
Stefan Wigg
Business Manager |
|
Submit request and documentation at least 3 weeks prior to the HREC submission date |
| Cochlear Implant Clinic
|
Stefan Wigg
Business Manager
|
|
Submit request and documentation at least 3 weeks prior to the HREC submission date
|
| Diagnostic Eye Services
(Orthoptics and Medical Photography)
|
Toby Pontifex
Acting Manager, Diagnostic Eye Services
|
|
Minimum of 2 weeks prior to HREC submission date |
| Emergency Department | Carmel Crock or
Director of Emergency/Manager ED |
|
Minimum of 2 weeks prior to HREC submission date |
| Medical Records
|
Josephine Pickett
Health Information Services
|
|
Minimum of 2 weeks prior to HREC submission date
|
| Pharmacy | Amy Crow
Director of Pharmacy |
|
Minimum of 2 weeks prior to HREC submission date |
| Specialist Clinics | Tracy Siggins
Director Ambulatory Services
|
|
Minimum of 2 weeks prior to HREC submission date |
| Surgical Services | Sinead Cucanic
Director of Surgical Services and for specific trials Executive Director Operations |
|
Minimum of 2 weeks prior to HREC submission date |
Head of Eye and Ear Departments
If the project is an Eye and Ear Project, the Head of Department must also review and sign the Cover Sheet for new Research Projects.
If the Head of Department is also the Principal Investigator then the relevant Executive Director must sign the Cover Sheet for new Research Projects.