A new online booking service was rolled out as of Tuesday 19th May 2020. This service replaces the existing Central Booking Service (CBS) telephone line.
Applicants submitting research projects through IRAS will no longer need to call the CBS to book a REC review or to enable IRAS form submission. This can now be done via the online booking service. The online system will be available 24/7 and support is available by contacting 0207 104 8008 (Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm).
Interested researchers can watch a short instructional video here and a presentation summarizing the changes can be accessed here
From 2nd June 2020, all amendments will now be processed online. Studies with REC approval that wish to need to notify relevant stakeholders about an amendment, will need to upload amendment documentation to the Online Amendment Tool (guidance is available on the IRAS portal).
Training videos are available here and we have produced a presentation summarizing the changes here.
HRA Approval is the approval required for research to commence in the NHS in England.
It is a process that comprises a review by a Research Ethics Committee as well as an Assessment of Regulatory Compliance and related matters undertaken by dedicated HRA staff. Although HRA Approval includes a study-wide review in line with the UK-wide agreed standards, the assessment goes beyond this to include new standards and assurances, for example, the assessment includes coordination of clinical support assurances for pharmacy and radiation.
HRA Approval supports and complements local NHS processes relating to confirming local capacity and capability to undertake the study. When HRA Approval is in place and local capacity and capability confirmed, sites will be able to confirm with the sponsor their readiness to recruit and the study will start at the site.