HRA UPDATE: Introducing a new proportionate process to make it easier to set up research involving health and social care staff as participants in the UK
Date: 17 March 2026
The HRA are introducing a new proportionate process to make it easier to set up research involving health and social care staff as participants in the UK. This came into effect on Tuesday 10 March 2026
The new process has been developed in partnership with NHS Research Scotland, HSC Northern Ireland and Health Care Research Wales following a successful pilot throughout 2024 and 2025.
The HRA have reduced the number of questions that researchers need to answer in applications for studies where NHS and HSC staff are participants.
Changes have also been made to streamline the process for assessing whether the site where the research is taking place is able to deliver the study.
This proportionate approach will help save researchers time and mean they will be able to start their studies quicker.
Find out more on IRAS Help: https://www.myresearchproject.org.uk/help/hlpnhsstaffas.aspx