27 March 2007
Patients participating in clinical research conducted by hospitals under the National Healthcare Group (NHG) are assured of comprehensive protection that meets world-class standards.
As a recognition of NHG’s ongoing emphasis to institute a rigorous system of protection for its clinical research participants, the Association of the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP) officially announced today in the United States of NHG’s successful accreditation.
As an accredited organisation, NHG will be better positioned to attract sponsors (local and international) of high quality and important clinical research that will translate into better treatments.
Accreditation is also part of NHG’s overall plan to support Singapore’s aggressive drive to promote biomedical sciences as the country’s fourth key economic pillar.
Dr Marjorie A. Speers, Executive Director, AAHRPP said “The accreditation of the National Healthcare Group, one of two clusters of public hospitals in Singapore, demonstrates Singapore’s commitment to strong human research protection programs. This accreditation surely helps to build the public’s trust in research.”
Professor Edison Liu, Executive Director, Genome Institute of Singapore, who has been a pillar of support in NHG’s drive towards research excellence adds, "This accreditation is a wonderful acknowledgement by the international community that Singapore medicine has arrived and is mature.
We now have a responsibility to use this expertise wisely and for the benefit of our patients."
Patient Benefits
Human research protection is a shared responsibility. Everyone who plays a part in research, however small or big, has a responsibility to ensure that the rights and well-being of research participants who participate in research studies are protected.
The responsibility of research participants’ protection lies with the researchers, the healthcare institution, the sponsors, and the participants themselves.
Before any research is conducted in NHG, it will undergo a thorough ethics review process to ensure that it is safe and ethical and that the rights, safety and well-being of our research participants are protected. When a research participant volunteers for a research project, he/she can be assured of a good informed consent process and continuous monitoring throughout his/her participation in the research.
The NHG Human Research Protection Programme (HRPP) is guided by the NHG Research Quality Assurance framework which ensures that there is on-going monitoring and audit of all research projects and that all researchers are educated on research ethics issues including intensive training for research coordinators.
With the accreditation, participants participating in clinical research conducted by hospitals under NHG can be reassured that their protection not only meets local and international guidelines but also the additional stringent protections that are required by AAHRPP.
Ms Cheong Wah Yin, a patient who is currently participating in a clinical research at the National University Hospital (NUH) gave the thumbs up to NHG’s accreditation, “Yes, it is definitely reassuring that NHG has obtained this accreditation as I know that my rights, safety and well-being are protected throughout my participation in the research. I am also thoroughly briefed during the consent process and received very good follow-up from the doctor and his nurse.”
In October 2006, NHG went through a rigorous audit by a group of 3 site visitors from AAHRPP that included a site visit to NHG and audit interviews with about 60 personnel from the various NHG institutions.
The site visitors found that NHG’s HRPP met international standards and were satisfied that our clinical research participants receive the same level of protection comparable to its other accredited and renowned healthcare institutions including Cedars Sinai Medical Centre, Children’s Hospital Boston, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and Stanford University.
Singapore’s Biomedical Sciences Industry
The Singapore biomedical sciences industry has grown tremendously and in 2005, accounted for 5% of the country’s GDP. In 2006, the industry employment increased by 3.9% to reach 10,571. Moving forward, the Government has identified life sciences as the fourth key pillar of Singapore’s economy, after electronics, engineering and chemicals.
The Singapore biomedical sciences blueprint is spearheaded by a high-powered steering committee chaired by Dr Tony Tan, Chairman, National Research Foundation. The four key sectors of the blueprint are pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology and healthcare services and delivery.
International accreditation in this case will help to enhance Singapore’s reputation as a biomedical hub, and attract sponsors as well as world-renowned scientists to set up base or collaborate with local researchers here.
NHG’s Biomedical Sciences Research Plan
Currently, there are about 800 clinical research projects being conducted within NHG institutions, and more than 3,000 patients are involved.
We have 11 clinician-scientists who have received the prestigious Clinician Scientist Investigator (CSI) Award, which is funded by the National Medical Research Council (MOH NMRC) and Biomedical Research Council (A-Star BMRC). More than 50% of our doctors are involved in ongoing research projects.
In support of Singapore’s biomedical sciences initiative, we have adopted a three-year, three-pronged strategic direction for research in NHG. Firstly, focusing our efforts on translational and clinical research that has significance to the healthcare that we deliver. "Clinical trials initiated by our clinicians" and "Research into clinical outcomes and the delivery of health services" have been identified as key areas of research for the cluster over the next three years.
Secondly, NHG will continue to invest in research manpower and training for our clinician-scientists and study coordinators. This will bolster the support for and management of clinical trials and other research projects.
Thirdly, we will continue to seek improvement in research quality through an educational quality assurance programme and a robust human research protection programme. NHG aims to provide a conductive environment for the conduct of important clinical research, where the rights, safety and well-being of our research participants are protected. We will continue to nurture top quality clinician-scientists who will lead our pursuit of new knowledge that will innovate the care that we deliver.
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