This PDF document provides information on the process for application to ensure research bodies comply with the requirements of the European Union Directive on Clinical Trials.
Please note that the address and telephone number given in this document are now out of date, as ORECNI moved premises in March 2006.
The correct telephone number is: 028 92603107
The correct address for applications is: ORECNI Office Suite 3, Lisburn Square House 1-4 Haslems Lane Lisburn BT28 1TW

The R&D Office is a directorate of the Northern Ireland Health and Social Services Central Services Agency and was established to promote, co- ordinate and support R&D within the field of health and social care.

The Central Services Agency is an integral part of the Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland, supporting the activities of the DHSSPS, HSS Boards, Trusts and Agencies through a wide range of regional services.

Employing over 600 staff from 14 sites throughout Northern Ireland the Central Services Agency delivers its services through a number of business units who each provide a different function to sections of the NIHSS.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was established by the Departments (NI) Order 1999. The Department administers the business of: Health and Personal Social Services, which includes policy and legislation for hospitals, family practitioner services, community health and personal social services; Public Health, which covers responsibility for policy and legislation to promote and protect the health and well-being of the population of Northern Ireland; and Public Safety, which encompasses responsibility for the policy and legislation for the Fire Authority, food safety and emergency planning.

This PDF document outline the Governance arrangements for the NHS Research Ethics Committees.