Skip to main content

Read more
Governance Annual Snapshot Reconciliation Action Plan Disability Access and Inclusion Plan Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan Professional Accountability Program Research office Researchers and sponsors Research participants Clinical trials Grants and funding News and events Clinical Strategy Strategic Ambition Consumer Strategy Aboriginal Employment Strategy Research Strategy Concerns about your care Informed consent Consumer experience Consumer partnering Compliments and complaints Your rights as a patient
Careers News Contact us
Governance Annual Snapshot Reconciliation Action Plan Disability Access and Inclusion Plan Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan Professional Accountability Program Research office Researchers and sponsors Research participants Clinical trials Grants and funding News and events Clinical Strategy Strategic Ambition Consumer Strategy Aboriginal Employment Strategy Research Strategy Concerns about your care Informed consent Consumer experience Consumer partnering Compliments and complaints Your rights as a patient

Research governance

Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) research governance details and submissions.

On this page

Governance applications are submitted and assessed via the Site Specific Assessment (SSA) form through the SA Health Governance and Ethics Management System (GEMS). GEMS user guides are available on the SA Health website.

Research governance is responsible for:

  • the protection of research participants and staff
  • the safety and quality of research
  • privacy and confidentiality
  • finance
  • adequate resources (financial, human, equipment and infrastructure) for research to proceed at the chosen site
  • necessary expertise and experience of researchers (medical officers must be credentialed in order to conduct clinical research); if not, relevant training is planned before carrying out their role in the research study
  • compliance with relevant laws, regulations, policies and codes of conduct relating to matters such as privacy, confidentiality, consent, bio-safety, professional standards, and radiation safety
  • risk management
  • monitoring arrangements.

Governance is a framework through which institutions are accountable for the research they allow to be conducted under their auspices. Prior to commencing a research study at CALHN, research governance authorisation must be obtained in addition to Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval.

Site Specific Application (SSA)

CALHN is responsible for conducting site specific application (SSA) reviews of research that is considered greater than low risk and which is taking place at a CALHN site being:

  • Royal Adelaide Hospital
  • The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
  • Hampstead Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Mental health services at Glenside Health Service
  • Statewide Rehabilitation Services at the Repat Health Precinct.

In addition CALHN has a range of specialised statewide services including:

  • Breastscreen SA (BSSA)
  • SA Dental
  • SA Medical Imaging (SAMI)
  • SA Pathology
  • SA Pharmacy
  • SA Prison Health Service
  • DonateLife SA.

The authorisation of a site specific application by research services means that the governance for the project is approved and that the study can commence.

SSAs are required to be submitted for both investigator initiated and commercially sponsored projects.

Governance applications are submitted and assessed via the Site Specific Application (SSA) form through the SA Health Governance and Ethics Management System (GEMS). GEMS user guides are available on the SA Health website.

Submit a copy of the reviewing HREC approval letter and all of the documents approved by the reviewing HREC through the SA Health Governance and Ethics Management System (GEMS). GEMS user guides are available on the SA Health website. Include any site specific documentation requiring local research governance approval (e.g. site specific Participant Information and Consent Forms).

Governance guidelines

SSA investigator initiated deed and declarations

SSA commercially sponsored declarations

Fees and invoicing

For more information about investigator initiated SSA submissions please contact the Research Ethics and Governance Officer.

For more information about commercially sponsored SSA submissions please contact the the clinical trials team.

Governance

Research GEMS
Investigator Initiated Site Specific Assessments (SSA)
Agreements

This page was last updated 9 May 2025.

Back to top