
Where research involves NHS patients, data or facilities, in addition to requiring NHS R&D permission for the project, members of the research team may need to be covered by an appropriate HR agreement with the NHS organisation hosting their research.
The Research in the NHS: HR Good Practice Resource Pack sets out guidance and good practice standards (including the Research Passport system) to streamline the issuing of honorary research contracts (HRCs) and letters of access (LoAs) and reassure NHS organisations that substantive employers have undertaken the appropriate pre-engagement checks on honorary researchers. The Department of Health recommends the Research Passport to the NHS, to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and to other research employers working in partnership with the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). The UKCRC Partners also endorse routine use of the Research Passport and the HR Good Practice Resource Pack.
Following systematic roll-out of the guidance in England, the HR Good Practice Resource Pack has recently been refined to incorporate feedback from end-users and reflect changes in employment legislation following introduction of the Vetting and Barring Scheme.
The latest update includes:

MORE INFORMATION
The NIHR Comprehensive Local Research Networks (CLRNs) are supporting the implementation of this guidance across HEIs and the NHS in England. Please contact your local CLRN if you have any questions. HR Good Practice Leads at each HEI and NHS organisation in England are listed on their local CLRN's website; alternatively you can contact the CLRN Lead RM&G Manager.
Contact for England:
Jacqueline Mathews
Research Governance Facilitator
NIHR Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre
E: jacqueline.n.mathews@nihr.ac.uk
Last updated: 11 March 2010