NPSA launches consultation on the future of NHS REC services

The NPSA has launched its consultation on implementing the recommendations of the Report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on the Operation of NHS RECs.

Through the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC), the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), has launched its consultation on implementing the recommendations of the Report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on the Operation of NHS Research Ethics Committees, an independent report commissioned by the Department of Health.

One of the key proposals of the implementation plan is the reconfiguration of the REC system as a more agile research ethics service. 

This will include the establishment of National Research Ethics Advisers who will ensure that full committees only review appropriate proposals for studies and who will also be able to take some straightforward decisions on a committee's behalf.

The aim is to ensure that the level of review is proportional to the ethical dimensions of a study.

The consultation document is available for download from the COREC website at http://www.corec.org.uk/applicants/consultation.htm .

The consultation will run until 21 April 2006.