The Health Research Board is a statutory agency of the Department of Health and plays a key role in supporting research and innovation to deliver health, societal and broader economic benefits. The HRB has an annual budget of approximately €40 million per year and as this is public money, there is an onus on the HRB to ensure the highest levels of governance and accountability for the management of its investments, both through its own code of governance and through its oversight and evaluation of those in receipt of this money.
Any research-performing organisation on the island of Ireland can apply to become a host organisation to receive and manage HRB grants. There are no exclusions or restrictions to who may apply. To be approved as a host institution however, one must be able to demonstrate a capability to manage heath related research, demonstrate financial soundness and warrant that it can comply with the HRB’ General Terms and Conditions. Public confidence in research, built on internationally recognised standards of good practice is vital. The public has a right to expect high scientific, ethical and financial standards, transparent decision making processes, clear allocation of responsibilities and robust monitoring arrangements.
As well as sound financial management of research funds, and an appropriate environment to employ and support research staff, it is the responsibility of organisations providing health and social care in Ireland to be aware of all research undertaken in their organisation, or involving participants, bio-specimens or data obtained through that organisation.
HSE Corporate or HSE hospitals are not on the list of HRB host institutions at this juncture because they have not yet demonstrated that they have the capacity to manage or account for research funding and are currently unable to meet the regulations and standards required for good research governance. As such the HRB is unable to contract with the HSE directly (although HSE employees are co-applicants and collaborators on many HRB grants, managed largely by academic partner organisations). It is not an anomaly, therefore - it is a necessary decision to safeguard public money.
It is important that this situation changes, however, especially if we are to realise our ambition to foster a culture of research and innovation in the healthcare system. As such, officials in my Department have focused on this issue as a priority in recent years and this resulted in the establishment of an R&D Unit (headed by an Assistant National Director) in the HSE, followed by the publication in late 2019 of the first ever HSE Research Strategy. A high priority outlined during 2019 and 2020 by my Department, and therefore a key priority in the HSE Research Strategy, was the development a Research Governance Framework for the HSE, to be adopted in the first instance by research-active hospitals. This will ensure that the research capabilities in our healthcare system can be fully harnessed and will ensure that funding, staff and collaborations can be secured, effectively managed and maintained, with healthcare organisations playing a leadership role.
Work has advanced significantly on a HSE Research Governance Framework and discussions and related planning are ongoing with HSE hospitals and hospital groups with a view to adopting same. This foundational work led by the HSE, rather than any dilution of the standards of good governance by the HRB as a funder, will be the platform upon which a sustainable culture of high quality and trusted research and innovation is built in our healthcare system.
