NHS Honorary Research Contracts and the Research Passport
When is an NHS Honorary Research Contract required?
An HRC is required when the researchers are not employed by the NHS organisation in either a substantive or honorary way and the research activity has a "direct bearing on the quality of patient care". The Research Passport is a method by which NHS organisations can be assured that the appropriate checks have been carried out and recorded, thus ensuring that duplicate checks are not required.
The UK Clinical Research Collaboration through the NHS R&D Forum has developed the Research Passport system. UK-wide roll-out of the Research Passport is underway. Comprehensive guidance has been produced which covers many issues, including the pre-engagement checks required. Full details can be found in the Human Resources (HR) Good Practice Resource Pack, available on the NIHR website. The Research Passport should be completed by researchers and their substantive employer.
For advice on use of the Research Passport, please contact the relevant lead for each UK nation.
The Research Passport also covers other standardised procedures for handling the HR arrangements for researchers, more details of which can also be found in the HR Good Resource Pack.
Note: The descision as to which checks are required for researchers entering an NHS establishment rest with that establishment. The Research Passport provides a mechanism by which researchers can show what checks are already in place.
Who does not need a Research Passport?
- Researchers with substantive NHS employment contracts
The NHS has existing mechanisms for these staff to work across NHS Organisations.
- Researchers with Honorary Clinical Contracts (e.g. Clinical Academics)
These researchers have joint NHS/university posts which enable them to conduct clinical duties including research, and to work across NHS organisations through the existing NHS systems
The mechanisms by which researchers with substantive NHS employment contracts can work across NHS organisations can be summarised as follows:
The research work forms part of their NHS clinical duties and should be covered by a service level agreement or other joint contractual arrangement between the NHS organisations - with no requirement for an HRC. Some other pre-engagement checks may still be required e.g. enhanced CRB check. Details of which checks may be required can be found on the NIHR website.
The UKCRC Partners statement of support for the Research Passport can be downloaded here.
