New ethical review arrangements for research involving human subjects, tissue or data have been introduced in Northern Ireland since 1st May 2004, to comply with a European Union Directive on Clinical Trials and the UK Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations (2004). These arrangements have been applied beyond Clinical Trials to all Health and Social Care Research in Northern Ireland.

In February 2004, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety established three new and permanent Health and Personal Social Services Research Ethics Committees. In May 2005, a fourth Health and Personal Social Services Research Ethics Committee was also established. The Committees comprise both expert and lay members. The expert members look particularly at the scientific side of the research proposals and the lay members are needed to be able to look at the proposed research from the participants’ point of view.

All Health and Personal Social Services Research Ethics Committees exist to protect the safety, rights and dignity of people taking part in all health and social care research in Northern Ireland.

Public Appointment processes are regularly undertaken by the Central Services Agency for both Expert and Lay members.

If you wish to know more about the Research Ethics Committees, you should contact the ORECNI Manager, Dr Siobhan McGrath (details available under 'Contact Us').

Should you wish to apply to be considered for membership of the HSC Research Ethics Committees, please contact Dr McGrath at ORECNI, and your details will be kept on file until the next Public Appointments Review at which point you will be contacted and asked to formally apply.