Research set up, governance and delivery

We facilitate the setup and governance of research across a diverse range of health and care settings in Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. This includes:

• primary care
• community care
• social care
• care homes
• hospices
• community pharmacies
• public health
• schools
• and voluntary sector settings

Our support applies to studies involving staff, participants, data, or premises within our region.

Accessing research sites

If your research involves NHS or other health and care settings in our area, we can help you obtain the necessary approvals: 

• NHS settings: A Letter of Access is required. Guidance is available via the NHS Health Research Authority
• Non-NHS settings: We provide a Universal Letter of Assurance (ULoA) to confirm that all pre-engagement checks have been completed. This ensures consistency with NHS governance standards. 

We recommend contacting our Research team to confirm whether your study requires a Letter of Access or a Universal Letter of Assurance. We’re happy to guide you through the process.

For non-NHS settings, guidance is currently in development.

Universal Letter of Assurance for wider care settings 

For research conducted in settings outside the NHS, we use a Universal Letter of Assurance process. This approach ensures that all necessary pre-engagement checks have been completed before a researcher begins work. 

• The researcher’s employer (e.g. an NHS organisation or university) verifies that all relevant pre-engagement checks and training have been completed. 
• This model is aligned with the NHS Letter of Access, ensuring consistency in research governance across different settings. 
• It applies to non-NHS organisations such as social care, hospices, community pharmacy and voluntary sector settings.

We recommend contacting our Research Office to confirm whether you need a Letter of Access or Universal Letter of Assurance, depending on the setting of your research. We’re happy to guide you through the process.

Organisations we work with

We collaborate with key local partners to facilitate research: 

• Our Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) Southwest Central 
• University of Bristol Division of Research, Enterprise and Innovation 
• Sirona care & health 
• Bristol City Council (Adults, Communities and Public Health, Children and Families, Education and Skills) 

How we can help

Supporting IRAS applications for local projects 

The Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) is the UK’s central system for obtaining research permissions and approvals. Our support includes: 

• guiding researchers through the IRAS application process  
• reviewing IRAS forms before submission  
• ensuring all regulatory requirements are met 

Letters of access

A Letter of Access is required for researchers conducting activities within NHS settings. The process depends on the researcher’s employment status: 

• NHS-employed staff: Complete a short pro-forma confirming pre-engagement checks.  
• Non-NHS staff: Apply via the NIHR Research Passport.  
• Non-NHS sites: We issue a Universal Letter of Assurance (ULoA) to confirm all pre-engagement checks have been completed.  

Amendments to approved research

If changes are needed after your research has received regulatory approval, you must notify the appropriate review bodies.

If changes are needed, we can provide: 

• guidance on submitting amendments via IRAS  
• support for amendments on behalf of organisations we work with

Information for health and care professionals

How we support healthcare professionals in research 

If you work in a health or care setting, we can help you: 

• participate safely in research projects
• access the correct approvals and governance support  
• understand training and pre-engagement requirements  
• collaborate with researchers, VCSE organisations, and system partners 

We work directly with NHS and social care organisations to ensure your participation is efficient, compliant, and aligned with local priorities.

Information for the Public 

How can I get involved in research? 

If you are a member of the public and want to participate in research, the NIHR ‘Be Part of Research’ platform is a great starting point. It provides information on ongoing studies and how to get involved.

Get in touch

For support with research setup, governance, and delivery, email us at bnssg.research@nhs.net. We’re here to guide you through every step of the process.