The Research Passport system is designed to enable external researchers with no contractual arrangements with a particular NHS trust to be able to access that trust and conduct research.
Any external researchers who wish to carry out research activities within The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre will usually need either an Honorary Research Contract or Letter of Access.
This includes non-NHS employees such as those employed at a university, post-graduate students who do not have a placement within Clatterbridge as part of their course and staff from other NHS trusts.
Academics who hold an Honorary Clinical Contract with Clatterbridge do not require an additional contract to carry out research here.
Letter of Access or Honorary Research Contract?
Honorary Research Contracts are required for individuals undertaking research that has a direct bearing on the quality of patient care (for example, provision of healthcare).
There are two main scenarios where a Letters of Access is required:
1. If you are an existing NHS employee within another trust and wish to carry out research activities at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
2. If you are employed by a non-NHS organisation and intend to conduct research which has no direct bearing on the quality of patient care (for example analysis or patient data or qualitative interviews).
How do I obtain a Letter of Access or Honorary Research Contract?
If you are employed by another NHS trust and wish to request a Letter of Access for Clatterbridge, you will need to submit an NHS-NHS pre-engagement checks letter (completed by your home trust HR department) along with your CV and GCP certificate.
If you are employed by a non-NHS organisation and wish to request a Letter of Access for Clatterbridge, you will need to complete the Research Passport application form and submit this along with your CV and GCP certificate.
If you would like to request an Honorary Research Contract with The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, you will need to submit the relevant application form along with your CV and GCP.
The application form for an Honorary Research Contract at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is available upon request. All other documentation and guidelines can be found in the HR Good Practice Resource pack on the IRAS website - see the IRAS website here.
Applying for a Letter of Access or an Honorary Research Contract
Please contact our Research Governance Facilitator at brogan.
