Flinders Clinical Research Ethics Committee

Your application to conduct research involving human participants will be directed either to FCREC or to the Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee, depending on the type of research you propose. Both are joint committees of  Flinders University and Southern Adelaide Health Service (SAHS), and approval from either will be recognised by both organisations.  

It is intended that researchers' access to the committees be based on the type of research being proposed rather than the faculty or institution of origin.

FCREC reviews research conducted by Flinders University staff or students and SAHS staff which is clinical in nature, regardless of where the research will be conducted. The kinds of studies considered by FCREC are those which involve:

• testing a health intervention;
• collecting information about health in a population;
• physically invasive procedures;
• diet and exercise studies;
• human tissue (including blood and bodily fluids);
• genetic testing;
• scans (including MRIs, x-rays and ultrasound);
• administration of ionising radiation to human volunteers;
• administration of drugs, whether or not they are approved for use in Australia;
• administration of food supplements intended for therapeutic use;
• complementary medicines.

FCREC must also review any proposed research that involves patients of the Southern Adelaide Health Service (which includes Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Health Service, and Drug and Alchohol Services South Australia). This includes research involving these patients which would normally be within the responsibility of the Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee.

Staff of the Southern Adelaide Health Service (whether or not they are affiliated with Flinders University) whose research involves human participants who are not patients of SAHS, and which is not 'clinical research' should seek approval from the Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee.

If you are uncertain which committee should consider your application, please contact the FCREC Office on (08) 8204 4507, or fax (08) 8204 4006, or email research.ethics@fmc.sa.gov.au or contact the Flinders University Ethics Office on (08) 8201 5466. 

More information

For more information, refer to the Flinders Clinical Research Ethics Committee (FCREC) website.