23 July 2009

NHS Research Passport Scheme

The NHS Research Passport Scheme is a UK-wide initiative introduced by the Department of Health in order to establish a common process for pre-engagement checks prior to research within the NHS. As these checks will conform to the standards required of all NHS bodies, the passport will be transferable across NHS Trusts.

The passport scheme has been designed to simplify and standardise administrative procedures for the issuing of honorary research contracts to researchers who are employed by the University and have no contractual arrangements with the NHS, but who carry out research in the NHS that affects patient care.

Responsibility for obtaining an NHS Research Passport lies with the individual Researcher. However the University of Sheffield will be required to confirm all required pre-engagement checks have been conducted. The Department of Human Resources will need to counter-sign the passport to confirm these checks.

Further Information on the process for obtaining a Research Passport is available from the Research and Innovation Services web pages at: www.shef.ac.uk/researchoffice/gov_ethics_grp/governance/rgp/passport-.html