Research Passport

What is a Research Passport?

Research Passport is the mechanism for non-NHS staff to obtain an Honorary Research Contract or Letter of Access (LOA) when they propose to carry out research or practice-based learning/placement activities in the NHS. This replaces the previous Honorary Research contract process. The Research Passport system provides: 

  • One set of checks on a researcher/student conducting research or practice-based learning/placement activities in the NHS.
  • One standard form completed by the researcher/student and his/her employer, and validated by an NHS organisation.
  • A completed Research Passport which is presented to all the relevant NHS organisations.
  • Faster study start-up.

You will need a Research Passport if you are proposing to carry out research in the NHS and do not already have an NHS contract. If you are unsure whether you require a Research Passport please contact the Research and Development office at the Trust where you intend to carry out your research for clarification. 

A Research Passport may be project-specific or may be valid for a period of three years for a number of projects. 

Select a self referral request using this link – then select research passport and answer the questions accordingly. If you have documented evidence of your vaccines and immunity (blood results) please email a copy of these into occupationalhealth@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk 

Once the questionnaire is complete – it will be assessed by one of our clinicians and you will be contacted following this if we need to arrange vaccines and immunity tests. 

Once the form has been authorised by one NHS organisation it becomes a valid Research Passport that you can provide to other NHS organisations when you require an Honorary Research Contract or Letter of Access. 

You may only start your work within an NHS Trust when that Trust has issued you with either an Honorary Research Contract or a Letter of Access. Please note that the Research Passport is only the mechanism to apply for these, it is not in itself permission to work in an NHS Trust. 

The level of health clearance required depends on the type of research or the placement you are applying for. The criterion for health clearance is determined by the NHS and in order to work within the boundaries of the NHS the criteria must be met. 

  1. Obtain evidence of ALL of your childhood vaccinations. This can be obtained from your GP . For basic health clearance your will need evidence proof of: 
  • 2 doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)  
  • 3 doses of DPT (diphtheria, tetanus and polio) 
  • BCG vaccination or declaration of any symptomolgy 
  • You will be asked if you have had a history of chickenpox and may need a blood test to prove immunity. 
  • Depending on what your placement/research involves you may also need a higher level of clearance which may include Hepatitis B. 

All certificates/vaccination records and laboratory reports must be in english and from a recognised laboratory 

     2. Complete the questionnaire which can be found by selecting research passport on the self referral           link (insert link) 

     3. Send through evidence of vaccines and blood tests to occupationalhealth@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk 

     4. Occupational Health will review the information you send through and may be in contact to                     arrange further immunity checks and/or vaccination 

If you can provide evidence proof that you have the required vaccines and immunity – the clearance can be given very quickly. If you require any vaccinations – you need to consider that clearance may take 3-6 months in order for you to complete the vaccine course.