General functions
110The HRA’s functions
(1)The main functions of the HRA are—
(a)functions relating to the co-ordination and standardisation of practice relating to the regulation of health and social care research (see section 111);
(b)functions relating to research ethics committees (see sections 112 to 115);
(c)functions as a member of the United Kingdom Ethics Committee Authority (see section 116 and the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1031));
(d)functions relating to approvals for processing confidential information relating to patients (see section 117 and the Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/1438)).
(2)The main objective of the HRA in exercising its functions is—
(a)to protect participants and potential participants in health or social care research and the general public by encouraging research that is safe and ethical, and
(b)to promote the interests of those participants and potential participants and the general public by facilitating the conduct of research that is safe and ethical (including by promoting transparency in research).
(3)Health research is research into matters relating to people’s physical or mental health; but a reference to health research does not include a reference to anything authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
(4)Social care research is research into matters relating to personal care or other practical assistance for individuals aged 18 or over who are in need of care or assistance because of age, physical or mental illness, disability, pregnancy, childbirth, dependence on alcohol or drugs or other similar circumstances; and “illness” has the meaning given by section 275(1) of the National Health Service Act 2006.
(5)A reference to health or social care research does not include a reference to research into matters which are within the legislative competence of a devolved legislature.
(6)A reference to research that is ethical is a reference to research that conforms to generally accepted ethical standards.
(7)Promoting transparency in research includes promoting—
(a)the registration of research;
(b)the publication and dissemination of research findings and conclusions;
(c)the provision of access to data on which research findings or conclusions are based;
(d)the provision of information at the end of research to participants in the research;
(e)the provision of access to tissue used in research, for use in future research.
(8)The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (1) in consequence of—
(a)functions being given to the HRA,
(b)functions being taken away from the HRA, or
(c)changes to the description of functions that the HRA has for the time being.