Research Passport / Honorary Contract


What is it?

An Honorary Contract is aimed at non NHS staff that may be conducting research and allows each Health Board to regulate access to NHS Staff, Patients, their tissue and data.

 

  • An Honorary Contract can be applied for via the new Passport Application System.
  • This new system can be either project specific or for 3 years.
  • If you add additional projects to a 3 year passport each new study will need to be validated.
  • If you require an Honorary Contract in another Health Board you simply forward the signed Passport Application to the relevant Health Board and they will issue an Honorary Contract.

 

Do I need one?

If you are conducting a piece of research during which you will have direct contact with NHS staff, patients their tissue or data, and do not meet the criteria below, you may require an Honorary Contract if:

 

  • You are employed by an NHS organisation.
  • You are an independent contractor (e.g. GP) or employed by an independent contractor.
  • You have an honorary clinical contract with the NHS (e.g. clinical academics).
  • You are an undergraduate or postgraduate student who will be supervised within the clinical settings by an NHS employee or higher education staff member with an honorary clinical or research contract.

Benefits of the new Research Passport application system

This new system can be either project specific or for 3 years, if you are carrying out a number of projects across the UK this is more flexible. 

 

  • One set of checks on a researcher conducting research within NHS in the UK .
  • One standard form for each researcher.
  • The form is completed by the researcher and their employer, and validated by an NHS Organisation.
  • The completed Research Passport is presented to all the relevant NHS organisations.
  • No duplication of checks.
  • Faster study start-up.

 

This system makes it simpler if you require an Honorary Contract in another Health Board. You simply forward the signed Passport Application to the relevant Health Board and they will issue an Honorary Contract.

How do I apply?
As of January 2009 the current process for applying for an Honorary Contract was superseded by the Research Passport application system. 

You can access the resource pack & application form at:

http://www.nihr.ac.uk/systems/Pages/systems_research_passports.aspx

Before completing the initial sections, including a signature from your line manager/ academic supervisor, please contact your relevant local Human Resource Office so that they can discuss with you the checks you may require for your application before submitting it to them.

 

University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX

Fiona Smith 

Tel:   01224 559 414  

Email: f.m.smith@abdn.ac.uk

 

  

Robert Gordon University , Schoolhill, Aberdeen , AB10 1FR

Scott Cameron  

Tel:   01224 263 078   

Email:  s.cameron@rgu.ac.uk

 

The HR office will then complete the required review and forward to the R&D office to be checked and authorised. If you have been awarded an Honorary Contract you will receive a letter from the NHS Grampian HR Department within 6-8 days by a letter to your home address.