Who can sign my forms? - NALHN research applications

For detailed contact information for any of the positions listed please refer to Inside Northern (NALHN Intranet) or email the Research Governance Office (RGO).

It is important to be aware that many of our governance forms are designed to be used across multiple networks or sites throughout SA Health so the positions listed in the forms do not always match the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) corporate structure. As a guide, please use the following:

Director of Finance (or delegate)

In the first instance, you should be discussing your project budget with your Divisional Business Consultant, who will be able to determine whether you form should be escalated to the Director of Finance for signing. If you receive approval your business consultant can advise on the process of obtaining a signature from the Director of Finance. Evidence of discussions with your Divisional Business Manager should be submitted with your Site Specific Assessment (SSA), usually a supporting email.

Where multiple divisions are involved in the study, endorsement from each relevant Divisional Business Manager is required.

NALHN Clinical Divisions:

  • Aged Care, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care
  • Allied Health and Outpatients
  • Critical Care
  • Medicine
  • Mental Health
  • Surgical Sub Specialties & Anaesthetics
  • Women and Children’s.

For specific financial information for you research project see Finance – fees, budgets and oversight.

Data Custodian

The Data Custodian for NALHN is the Executive Director, Medical Services. All projects involving access to patient records/data should first be discussed with the Manager of Medical Records, and evidence of their approval should be submitted with your governance application, usually a supporting email.

Once we have confirmation from the Manager of Medical Records, the RGO will obtain the official Data Custodian signature on your behalf.

Additionally, you may also require separate Data Custodian Approval for:

  • Community Based Information System (CBIS)
  • Pharmacy
  • Hospital Administration Software Solution (Emergency Department)
  • Casemix

Head of Unit

It is important to note that your Head of Unit is NOT the authorised signatory for a SSA; this is one of the most common errors made on when completing an assessment. Nonetheless it is important that you have the support of the Head of Unit prior to submitting your SSA. Evidence of Head of Unit endorsement is usually a supporting e-mail.

Pharmacy

Any study involving medications requires approval from Pharmacy. Researchers should involve the Pharmacy Department in the early planning stages of the study, and be aware that separate pharmacy agreements may be required.

Divisional Director

The Divisional Director’s signature (or supporting email) is mandatory for all Site Specific Assessments.

Where multiple divisions are involved in the study, each relevant Divisional Director’s signature is ALSO required.

Any study involving Nursing ALSO requires the signature from the relevant Nursing Divisional Director.

NALHN Clinical Divisions:

  • Aged Care, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care
  • Allied Health and Outpatients
  • Critical Care
  • Medicine
  • Mental Health
  • Surgical Sub Specialties & Anaesthetics
  • Women and Children’s.

Research Governance Office (RGO)

Please leave this section blank. The RGO will complete this when preparing your SSA for final approvals.

Executive Director

Please leave this section blank. The final signature on an SSA is the Executive Director Medical Services and the RGO will obtain a signature on your behalf.

Please be aware that an incomplete application or an application missing the required signatures and supporting documents will not be processed and will be returned.