The NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023 defines low risk research as “research where the only foreseeable risk is one of discomfort”. Discomfort may include minor side-effects of medication, discomfort related to measuring blood pressure or anxiety induced by an interview. Where the risk, even if unlikely, is more serious than discomfort, the research is not low risk.
The National Statement provides that institutions may have ethical review processes other than full committee review for low risk studies.
Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) Research Services holds joint ethics and governance review of application for approval of low risk research projects at its weekly Expedited Review Panel.
The Expedited Review Panel comprises the CALHN HREC Chair and representatives from CALHN research governance office.
The Expedited Review Panel meets weekly on Tuesdays. Submissions are due by 4:00 pm the previous Thursday.
CALHN Research Services will be closed between 23 December 2024 to 05 January 2025.
The final ERP submission deadline is 05 December 2024 and the final HREC submission deadline is 25 November 2024. The first ERP submission date is 09 January 2025.
For further information, contact CALHN Research Services on 08 7117 2224, or via email at Health.CALHNResearchLNR@sa.gov.au