Procedures for Prison Research with Health Outcomes

3: NHS REC ApprovalApproval is required from an NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC)for health research in prisons. The Chair or Vice-Chair of a REC candecide whether or not a project requires REC approval (see Annexe3 for details), alternatively email the NRES queries line(queries@nationalres.org.uk). Further information on this processis available from the National Research Ethics Service:http://www.nres.npsa.nhs.uk/applicants/index.htm.The application form for ethical approval by NHS REC can be foundfrom the NRES website, or by visiting www.nresform.org.uk. Thereis advice for applicants on the NRES site, but the following is prisonspecificadvice.Guidance for Applicationo Access www.nresform.org.uko Register/Log ino Complete form using Question Specific Advice (available using‘Help’)o NB In the initial ‘form sieve’, there is a specific questionon whether the research will involve prisoners. You arerequired to state whether the research will be carriedout only at Prison Service Establishments or a mix ofprisons and NHS Care Organisations.o A new question has been added to the ‘form sieve’asking whether any participants will be included whocannot consent for themselves. This has beenintroduced to comply with the Mental Capacity Act2005. If this is applicable, a pop-up screen offersadditional guidance notes.