Core Functions

The following are some of the functions the Research and Development Department is known for;

• Ensures the implementation of decisions and policies of the Research Committee and Management
• Coordinates and Manages Research activities in the hospital. 
• Coordinates and facilitates the TTH Ethics Review Committee 
• Creates the environment for the dissemination of research findings. 
• Liaise with other departments to conduct research into operational areas in TTH. 
• Documents health research activities and research findings 
• Provides information to aid policy formulation and programme implementation.
• Provides technical advice and support to TTH and researchers on research.
• Can be commissioned by the hospital (Departments, Management, CEO, Board) to conduct research into other crucial operational areas duly identified.

Ethical Review

As part of efforts to fulfil the research mandate of the hospital, an ethical review committee was established in 2015 to oversee and regulate the ethical conduct of research, mainly in the medical discipline.
The Tamale Teaching Hospital Ethical Review Committee (TTH ERC) is an independent ethics review committee that reviews and approves research protocols in the field of medicine and other social sciences. 

TTH ERC Composition

The membership of the committee comprised of the following institutions/Department;

• Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Northern Regions-Tamale
• Department of Social Welfare (DSW), Northern Regions-Tamale
• University For Development Studies (UDS),  Northern Region-Tamale
• Ghana Health Service (GHS), Northern Region-Tamale
• Navrongo Health Research Centre (NHRC), Upper East Region-Navrongo
• Medical Directorate, Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH)
• Nursing Directorate, Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH)
• General Administration, Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH)

The committee occasionally coopts other professionals as and when their expertise are required to fashion a protocol review.

TTH ERC Secretariat

The TTH ERC has a permanent secretariat situated on the first floor of the administration block in the Tamale Teaching Hospital.  The TTH ERC follows a structured protocol that clearly outlines terms of reference, membership, meetings and criteria for protocol reviews. These are clearly spelt out in the TTH ERC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). 
The main officers of the TTH ERC comprise the Chair, Vice Chair and the Coordinator. The chairmanship of the committee is always a non-staff of TTH.

Guidelines for Submitting Protocols

To submit a protocol for review in TTH, a letter of intent must be addressed to the chairman of the ethics committee. Once the application is received a Protocol submission form would be forwarded to the prospective applicant to fill and returned for consideration. In submitting the protocol for review, the following documents must be included;

• Cover letter
• Protocol submission form
• Consent form
• Protocol/Proposal
• Curriculum Vitae(s) (CVs)
• Any other relevant document.

Technical Support

The Department of Research and Development in the hospital offers technical support and advice to staff and researchers who need the services of the department in the area of research. It also advises the hospital in areas of research and research collaboration.

Institutional Research

The department also fosters research collaboration with other institutions both locally and internationally to improve the wellbeing of our cherished patients and knowledge advancement. 
The Research and Development Department also receives, authorizes and monitors research activities within the confines of the hospital. 

Request to use TTH as Study Site

To use the TTH as a research study site, a letter of intent must be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tamale Teaching Hospital. A study proposal must be attached to the request for permission to conduct the study in the hospital. And where applicable, a copy of an ethical clearance letter must be attached. The application would be assessed for appropriateness and approval granted where necessary.
When an intent to apply for ethical clearance is stated in the study proposal, permission cannot be granted until evidence of the clearance is adduced.

Operational Research

In collaboration with other departments and sub-BMCs in the hospital, the department periodically conducts research into health issues for the purpose of improving health care and knowledge management.

Annual Scientific Research Forum

The Tamale Teaching Hospital conducts an annual scientific research conference where researchers present their research findings to the hospital and the general public. All these are geared towards advancing the research mandate of the teaching hospitals’ Act in Ghana.

Research Misconduct

The hospital will not waver in applying the necessary sanctions where obvious research misconduct is detected. Primarily, failure to secure the appropriate permissions, concerns and ethical clearance (where applicable) will not be countenanced.
The hospital reserves the right to discredit any research work that fails to adhere to the hospital's research policy guidelines and other statutory research conventions in conducting research. 

• TTH Research Policy Documents 
• TTH ERC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• TTH Research Policy Guidelines

TTH ERC Forms

• New protocol submission form
• Consent form
• Continue review form
• Protocol amendment form
• Study closure form
• Protocol deviation form

Contact Us

For further information you can reach the Department of Research and Development through; 
First and second floors of the administration block, Tamale Teaching Hospital
Email: research.development@tth.gov.gh