The Health Research Authority (HRA) protects and promotes the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research. It works to build confidence and encourage participation in health research, as well as to streamline research regulations to make conducting research in the UK more desirable. Its efforts help improve public health. It was established in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, as a special health authority providing services on behalf of the NHS. The Care Act 2014 then restructured it and gave it the status of an executive non-departmental public body. It is responsible for several related bodies, including the Confidentiality Advisory Group which advises on the usage of confidential patient information, and over 80 NHS Research Ethics Committees that safeguard research participants’ rights, safety, dignity and well-being.
