Health research carried out by the NHS in England and Wales must meet new standards designed to protect participants, improve quality, and stop research fraud, according to recommendations proposed in a draft governance framework published by the Department of Health last week.

The framework sets out standards, delivery mechanisms, and monitoring arrangements for all research carried out by the NHS in England and Wales, including joint projects with other partners such as universities, charities, research councils, and pharmaceutical companies.

It brings together for the first time a wide range of existing guidelines to set clear standards for NHS …