HSE Research and Development reposted this
📢 Update: HSE National Policy for Consent in Health and Social Care Research V2.0 We are pleased to announce the publication of Version 2.0 of the HSE National Policy for Consent in Health and Social Care Research addressing the age of consent for young people, aged 16-17 years old. This revision ensures alignment with clinical trials legislation and acknowledges the autonomy of young people to participate in health and social care research. 🔍 What’s Changed? 🔹Recognising "Young People": The Policy now defines individuals aged 16 and 17 years old as “young people” who are capable of independently consenting to participate in research and to the processing of their personal data. Parental involvement is still encouraged but not needed. 🔹Changed Definition of “Child”: The Policy now defines a child as person under 16 years old. Parental consent is still required for their participation in health and social research. 🔹New Definition of “Minor”: The Policy now defines a minor as a person under the age of 18 years. 🔹Respecting Autonomy: Young people lacking capacity should be supported where possible to fully exercise their right to provide a valid consent. The same principles related to adults lacking capacity should be applied to research involving young people. 🔹Valid Consent in Special Circumstances: Where prospective participants are acutely unwell or involves vulnerable groups, the process for obtaining consent should be carefully considered. Researchers should ensure consent is freely given, is not given under duress. This now includes young people who are providing their consent for themselves. These changes were developed through consultation with stakeholders, including the HSE R&D Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Advisory Group, the HSE National Policy for Consent in Health and Social Care Research Implementation Steering Group, Tusla - Child and Family Agency, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Health - Ireland and Chairs, the Health Research Consent Declaration Committee (HRCDC), the National Office of Clinical Audit (NOCA), the National Disability Authority, experts in areas of areas of medicine, nursing, health and social care professions, and the fields of paediatrics, mental health, quality improvement, law, data protection, genetics/ genomics and medicine for the elderly and psychiatry, researchers and representative from Research Ethics Committees. Please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eFKT9STN or the direct link is available from the HSE National Central Repository: https://lnkd.in/ehDXZxeA Please note if using the URL for use on your own website, the HSE National Central Repository URL must be used: https://lnkd.in/ehDXZxeA