Health Research Authority Annual Report and Accounts, HC 312 Session 2012-2013
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Health Research Authority Annual report and accounts HC 312 Health Research Authority Annual report and accounts for the period 1 December 2011* to 31 March 2012 Presented to Parliament pursuant to Section 232 (Schedule 15 paragraph 3) of the National Health Service Act 2006 Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 5th July 2012 HC 312 LONDON: The Stationery Office £16.00 * The Health Research Authority (HRA) was established on 1 December 2011 The National Research Ethics Service (NRES) transferred to the HRA on 1 December 2011 Health Research Authority Annual Report and Accounts 2011-2012 © Health Research Authority (2012) The text of this document (this excludes, where present, the Royal Arms and all departmental and agency logos) may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium providing that it is reproduced accurately and not in a misleading context The material must be acknowledged as Health Research Authority copyright and the document title specified. Where third party material has been identified, permission from the respective copyright holder must be sought. Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at HRA, Ground Floor, Skipton House, 80 London Road, London SE1 6LH This publication is also for download at www.official-documents.gov.uk This document is also available from our website at www.hra.nhs.uk ISBN: 9780102977561 Printed in the UK by The Stationery Office Limited on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office ID: P002488734 07/12 Printed on paper containing 75% recycled fibre content minimum The Health Research Authority (HRA) was established on 1 December 2011. The National Research Ethics Service (NRES) transferred to HRA on 1 December 2011 Health Research Authority Annual Report and Accounts 2011-2012 Contents Foreword ............................................................................................................................ vi Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Our vision for the Health Research Authority ..................................................................... 2 The functions of the Health Research Authority ................................................................. 2 HRA success ................................................................................................................... 3 Unified approval process and promoting proportionate standards for compliance and inspection ........................................................................................................................ 4 HRA advice, training and guidance ................................................................................. 4 Queries line ................................................................................................................. 4 Training ........................................................................................................................ 4 Developing policy on specific ethical issues ................................................................ 5 Integrated Research Application System ........................................................................ 6 National Research Ethics Service ................................................................................... 7 Appeals ......................................................................................................................... 11 NRES quality assurance ............................................................................................ 12 UK Ethics Committee Authority ..................................................................................... 12 National Research Ethics Advisors’ Panel .................................................................... 13 National Research Ethics Advisory Panel Members ................................................. 14 Management commentary ............................................................................................ 15 Summary ................................................................................................................... 15 Setting up the organisation ........................................................................................ 15 Information Governance ............................................................................................ 15 Health and Safety ...................................................................................................... 15 Equality and Diversity ................................................................................................ 16 Sickness Absence ..................................................................................................... 16 Freedom of Information ............................................................................................. 16 Personal Data related incidents ................................................................................. 16 Transition ................................................................................................................... 16 Staff ..................................................................................................................................... 16 Corporate Services .............................................................................................................. 16 Resources ................................................................................................................. 16 Sustainability Report 2011/12 ....................................................................................... 17 Our organisation – Public Interest ................................................................................. 18 Complaints ................................................................................................................. 18 Better Payment Practice Code .................................................................................. 18 The HRA was established on 1 December 2011. The NRES transferred to HRA on 1 December 2011 i Health Research Authority Annual Report and Accounts 2011-2012 External audit ............................................................................................................ 18 Register of interests .................................................................................................. 19 Pension liabilities ....................................................................................................... 19 Remuneration report ..................................................................................................... 20 Sub-Committees ....................................................................................................... 20 Pay and Remuneration ............................................................................................. 20 Cash Equivalent Transfer Values .............................................................................. 22 Statement of Accounting Officers Responsibilities ........................................................... 23 Governance Statement .................................................................................................... 23 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 23 Governance Structure ................................................................................................... 24 Responsibilities of accounting officer ........................................................................ 24 The Board ................................................................................................................. 24 Sub-Committees ....................................................................................................... 24 Attendance at the interim audit and risk committee .................................................. 25 Pay and Remuneration Committee ........................................................................... 25 Effectiveness ................................................................................................................ 26 The risk and control framework ................................................................................. 26 Information Governance ............................................................................................ 26 The system of internal control ................................................................................... 27 Capacity to handle risk .............................................................................................. 28 Director’s Remuneration ........................................................................................... 29 Compliance with NHS Pension Scheme regulations................................................. 29 The Certificate and Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General to the Houses of Parliament ..................................................................................................................... 30 Respective responsibilities of the Accounting Officer and the auditor....................... 30 Scope of the Audit of the Financial Statements ........................................................ 30 Opinion on Regularity ................................................................................................ 30 Opinion on Financial Statements .............................................................................