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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Information for researchers

BSMS > Research > Neuroscience > Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre > Research > Information for researchers

Information for researchers

The Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre welcomes all prospective enquiries to use our facilities and we are happy to advise you on all aspects of your application.

Before undertaking your scanning you will first need to obtain the necessary ethical, governance and regulatory approvals. Below we have outlined some of the procedures you will need to consider.

First step: Fill in the Project Proposal Form (form guidelines) and send to Pat Butler – P.Butler@bsms.ac.uk. A unique identifier number will be allocated.

Book a slot to present your project to the Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging meeting held weekly at 1pm. Please contact Dominika Varga (d.varga@sussex.ac.uk) to book a slot to present your project proposal.

Please contact Jan Bush, Head of Radiography (j.bush@bsms.ac.uk) to book a CISC Building Induction AND a slot at the next available MRI Safety Lecture.

Research approval documents

Send all of the following to Pat Butler (P.Butler@bsms.ac.uk):

  • RGEC approval letter
  • Participant information sheet
  • Copy of participant consent form
  • Copy of NHS ethics approval letter
  • Copy of completed scan costing proforma (if funded)
  • Scanning protocol

Once you have received the required approval, please email us your documentation and book your scans (cisc@bsms.ac.uk). A member of the radiographer team will then be in touch with you to discuss your requirements.

BSMS Research Governance and Ethics Committee (RGEC) approval

Recommended to apply concurrently seeking CISC approval

Will provide Ethical, Governance and Sponsorship approval for all projects using CISC. Please contact Caroline Brooks, BSMS Research Administrator, on c.e.brooks@bsms.ac.uk to discuss your study before completing your application. Find out more and download the BSMS RGEC application pack on the 'Governance and ethics' page. 

NHS NRES Ethics approval

Recommended to apply concurrently or following RGEC approval

Applicable only for those projects where NHS patients are participating. Further information can be found at the National Research Ethics Service website. Applications are made via the IRAS website.

ARSAC certificate obtained

Recommended to apply concurrently with obtaining ethical approval

Required for all Imaging projects which involve the administration of a radioisotope (PET-CT). Visit the Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee website for detailed guidelines on how and when to apply for an ARSAC licence.  It is very important that you also get in touch with Dr Sabina Dizdarevic, CISC ARSAC Practitioner licence holder, and Pat Butler, CISC DA. 

IR(ME)R regulations conformity confirmation

Recommended to apply concurrently with obtaining ethical approval

Required for all Imaging projects requiring ionising radiation (CT / CT Perfusion). CISC needs to ensure that the project protocol conforms with IR(ME)R documentation. At an early stage please contact Jan Bush (J.Bush@bsms.ac.uk).

Paperwork

Once you have obtained the necessary approvals, we require the following paperwork from you before scanning.

  • Participant consent forms and participant information sheets (recommended to submit to CISC following ethical and regulatory approval): required for all imaging projects
  • Copy of ethics approval letter, sponsorship approval