The safety and wellbeing of trial participants, other patients, visitors, researchers and other clinical and support staff is paramount.
As developments around the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve, staff are asked to note the current arrangements for conducting research at RMH.
COVID-19 impact on research operations at the RMH
Advice for clinical trials and other clinical research studies
The RMH reviews and provides updated advice about clinical trials and other clinical research activity.
Management of individual studies is at the discretion of, and should be coordinated by, the respective principal investigators (PIs) in consultation with their research teams and heads of department or clinical service and in accordance with current RMH advice.
For current advice, RMH researchers must refer to communication from the Office for Research, which will be sent out via email and RMH Workplace.
Immunisation of study participants with SAR-CoV-2 vaccine
Guidance has been developed relating to the administration of the SAR-CoV-2 vaccine to study participants.
Researchers can contact the Office for Research with any queries. If related to a particular study, include the RMH project number in the information provided and subject line.
Consent for COVID-19 research projects
There is a template Participant Information and Consent Form (PICF) available for Coronavirus or related research that involves collection of health information and/or samples. Please note that the template PICF wording relates to Victorian legislation.
If you are using the PICF template for a National Mutual Acceptance (NMA) project, please insert specific references for health information and samples in line with relevant state/territory legislation.
NHMRC information
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has published a statement on the impact of COVID-19, including information for recipients of NHMRC research grants.
Contacting the Coordinating Office for Clinical Research
The Victorian Government's Coordinating Office for Clinical Trial Research remains available to help you with ethics and governance enquiries, and ERM guidance.
Coordinating Office for Clinical Trial Research
Hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Email: multisite.ethics@ecodev.vic.gov.au
Research enquiries: 0408 274 054
Research office information: 0408 274 054
Level 2 South West
300 Grattan St, Parkville, Victoria