You must make the care and safety of the patient your first and continuing concern.²⁹⁸

If you undertake research on people or animals, you should seek ethical approval, where appropriate, using the relevant research ethics approval process.

In the UK, the routes to ethical approval are:

1. university ethics committees
2. The Research Ethics Service, which is part of the Health Research Authority.²⁹⁹

If your research involves even one NHS patient or record you should apply for ethical approval using the HRA Approval system.

University research will be subject to the ethics processes in place at the individual institution.

You must work within the relevant legislation; see Useful information and links section below.

You must get consent from the research participants before involving them in any research project. For people who are unable to consent you will need to make an additional application.

You must maintain confidentiality.

You must act with honesty and integrity when designing, supervising or carrying out research.