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Research approval process

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Learning and research

Research approval process

It is important to be familiar with the Waikato DHB Research policy and Informed Consent policy.

If the patient population you are investigating are unable to give informed consent then it is necessary to use the Best Interest Guideline for research with incompetent patients. This is to be used as a guide only and in some cases the questions may not have a simple yes/no answer. However, the checklist should assist in considering the patient's best interests. If your study involves patients who may require admission to Critical Care please read the guideline.

In order to obtain authorisation, researchers must have completed steps 1-3 below.

Note: Several of these items can be done concurrently (registration, ethics, Māori consultation). Any study that includes the administration of medicines to patients must adhere to the Waikato DHB Clinical Trial Medicines Management protocol.

For research units contact information see the Clinical trials and research units page.

Please note if you state your study is audit on the online HDEC application form, HDEC will respond that it does not require ethics. You need to be certain it is an audit before ticking that box.

You can complete and submit the HDEC Scope of Review form found on the quick links on https://ethics.health.govt.nz/home if unsure.

If in doubt, please contact research@waikatodhb.health.nz.

  • Service approval: Discuss your concept or proposal with the clinical lead of the relevant service prior to registering it.  For Maternity Services this includes the clinical midwife director to arrange review by Maternity Services Clinical Governance Committee.  We can advise who the relevant clinical lead is.
  • Ethics approval:  Proceed with relevant Health & Disability Ethics Committee (HDEC) or Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) approval process, where required. 
  • Peer review: It is the researcher’s responsibility to ensure scientific validity of the project through peer review, prior to submission to HDEC. This review may be documented using the HDEC template on their website, which outlines the evidence HDEC needs to see before giving approval. 

    Other acceptable processes include peer review given when applying for a funding grant such as the Health Research Council, SCOTT review of new medicines, university research grants or other established robust peer review processes. For more information on HDEC peer review requirements read Appendix 1 of the Ethical Guidelines for Intervention Studies and Ethical Guidelines for Observational Studies on the HDEC website. 
  • Māori consultation: Eliminating health inequities for Māori is a key priority for Waikato DHB.  It is therefore important that you consider how your study will improve equity or knowledge, especially for our Māori population.  As part of this Waikato DHB requires that you undertake Māori consultation.  (Use this link to get information and forms).
  • Product/device: If your study involves the use of a new product or device/machine, you will be asked for further information to ensure that the items have the appropriate checks (e.g. biomedical, infection prevention and control, health and safety) prior to use.  Full instructions will be forwarded to you by the research office.
  • Registry/Database: If your study involves adding data to a registry or database held outside of Waikato DHB, you may also be required to complete a Cloud Risk Assessment.  The Research Office will offer guidance on this, if it is required.

It is a requirement of Locality Authorisation that for all HDEC reviewed research, Waikato District Health Board (research@waikatodhb.health.nz) is authorised to receive email notifications from the HDEC online application system. 

Once all relevant approvals and documentation has been received by the Research Office an email indicating approval to commence research activities will be sent to the primary contact, and Locality Approval will be signed off on-line at HDEC (if applicable).

Privacy Act 1993

Principal Investigators should make themselves familiar with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1993 and the Health Information Privacy Code 1994. Refer to the New Zealand Legislation website.

The Privacy Act sets out 12 Principles that govern the collection, use, storage, retention and disclosure of personal information.

The Privacy Act also permits the Privacy Commissioner to issue codes of practice governing particular types of personal information. In 1994 the Commissioner issued the Health Information Privacy Code.

This Code contains 12 Health Information Privacy Rules. The Rules are very similar to the 12 Principles in the Privacy Act, but are modified specifically for the health sector.