research ethics committee scotland

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West of Scotland Research Ethics Service

The West of Scotland Research Ethics Service forms part of the UK wide NHS research ethics service ( https://www.hra.nhs.uk/ ) and applications can be reviewed from across the UK.  Applicants are free to apply to any suitably flagged REC in the UK although a local REC is advised.  The applicant should book a slot that they are able to attend.  The meetings are generally held remotely and instructions for joining the meeting are sent out ahead of time.

The central West of Scotland office is manned by four Research Ethics Committee Managers and Assistants who cover the four West of Scotland Research Ethics Committees.

A list of all contact details and the meeting and submission dates can be found here:    https://www.hra.nhs.uk/about-us/committees-and-services/res-and-recs/search-research-ethics-committees/

In Scotland the REC Service is managed regionally across four Health Boards.  The Health Board is the appointing authority for each REC.  All NHS RECs in the UK work within the guidelines detailed in Governance Arrangements for Research Ethics Committees (20th July 2021)    https://www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-improving-research/policies-standards-legislation/governance-arrangement-research-ethics-committees/

The Role of NHS Research Ethics Committees (RECs)

NHS RECs safeguard the rights, safety, dignity and well-being of people participating in research in the National Health Service. They review applications for research and give an opinion about the proposed participant involvement and whether the research is ethical. NHS RECs are entirely independent of research sponsors (that is, the organisations funding and hosting the research) and investigators. This enables them to put participants at the centre of their research. Each year, NHS RECs review around 6,000 research applications. On average, they give an opinion in less than 30 days: well within the maximum allowance of 60 days. Proportionate Review studies are reviewed within a maximum of 21 days.

REC Membership

Each Research Ethics Committee (REC) consists of between seven and 18 volunteer members. At least one-third of the members must be ‘lay’. Lay members are people whose main personal or professional interest is not in a medical research area. The remainder of the committee are expert members, who are specialists including doctors, other healthcare professionals and academics.  Membership also includes a category known as ‘lay plus’. This category excludes anyone who has been involved in clinical research other than as a participant. REC members often have the sort of experience which will be useful in scrutinising the ethical aspects of a research proposal. For example, they might be patients, members of the public, nurses, GPs, hospital doctors, statisticians, pharmacists and academics, as well as people with specific ethical expertise gained through a legal, philosophical or theological background.

Interested in becoming a member of an NHS REC?

Please get in touch with us and we can send you further details and let you know of any local vacancies available. All NHS RECs are established by the UK Health Departments for the purpose of reviewing research applications that fall within our remit as set out in GAfREC.

There are two main types of RECs:

Recognised RECs

These are recognised by the United Kingdom Ethics Committee Authority (UKECA) for the review of clinical trials of investigational medicinal products (CTIMPs), in accordance with The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations.  

Authorised RECs

Established under GAfREC but not recognised by UKECA.  Authorised RECs can review most research that is not a CTIMP.   

Many RECs are fagged to look at particular types of research and these flags can be seen here;  https://www.hra.nhs.uk/about-us/committees-and-services/res-and-recs/search-research-ethics-committees/

During the online booking process you will be directed to an appropriately flagged REC if this is required; https://www.hra.nhs.uk/about-us/committees-and-services/online-booking-service/

In the West of Scotland we have one Recognised REC and three Authorised RECs 

 Information for applicants

Information to help you define if your research project requires review by a Research Ethics Committee can be found  here

All researchers wishing to undertake a piece of research within the NHS are required to complete an  IRAS form . All guidance and information is contained within the site to allow completion of the IRAS form.

Once the application is ready for submission i.e. complete with electronic authorisations etc.  Please follow the current guidance on online submission; https://www.hra.nhs.uk/about-us/committees-and-services/online-booking-service/

Once you have uploaded all of the study documentation the REC Manager will check and validate the submission.  The REC Manager will then issue a validation letter indicating the date and time of the Ethics Meeting and inviting the investigator to attend.  The dates and times of all ethics meetings can be found here: https://www.hra.nhs.uk/about-us/committees-and-services/res-and-recs/search-research-ethics-committees/

After the meeting the investigator will receive a letter within 10 working days stating the outcome which will be one of four possible decisions:

• Final opinion – favourable or unfavourable
• Provisional opinion – with request for further information, clarification or revision
• No opinion – gone to referee for consultation before opinion given

The national ethics service allows 60 days from the submission of the application to final opinion. Clear guidance is given within the  IRAS website  for researchers who wish to make an amendment to their application after approval or add extra sites.

Contacts and committee details  (dates can vary due to public holidays always check on HRA website)

Any queries regarding the service or whether an application requires ethical review should be directed to the Scientific Officer / Ethics Manager –  Dr Judith Godden  

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North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1

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New Members Wanted for NHS Research Ethics Committees (RECs)

24th November 2021

The NHS Research Ethics Committees (RECs) are currently looking to recruit new volunteer members to join the RECs and contribute to their work

• Interested in ethical debate?
• Interested in health care research?
• Would you enjoy promoting good ethical research by joining a REC?

If you are passionate about healthcare research, have the ability to analyse complex issues, take an objective stance and voice your opinion then volunteering to become a member of an NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC) could be the perfect opportunity for you.

The RECs are looking for people who are passionate about health and social care research to review applications for research studies, both registered healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and pharmacists, and interested members of the public who make up Lay membership. Despite having different roles and experiences all members have a shared goal; to ensure research is ethical and fair.

The RECs protect research participants and facilitate ethical research by reviewing new applications for research approval. The work is varied but includes some of the biggest challenges we face in health and social care today, from cancer to dementia, and more recently COVID-19. As a member of a REC you will review health and social care research applications to ensure the safety and wellbeing of research participants and the public.

Training will be provided and you will need to commit to attend 10 full REC meetings per year plus some additional sub-committee business in between meetings. There are 11 committees based in Scotland and these meet virtually. 

As a REC member you will gain:

• increased knowledge in research methodology and statistics
• a better understanding of research ethics and relevant legislation
• committee skills
• access to Health Research Authority and other member training events

You will also have the opportunity to train for the role of a REC Chair / Vice Chair after one year of membership.

Who should consider applying

The RECs are keen to receive applications from people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, who have an interest in health research and ethics.

For more information and an application form please e-mail  Nikki McGlynn by  Friday 17th December .

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• DOI: 10.1136/BMJ.282.6265.718
• Corpus ID: 31876727

Research ethical committees in Scotland.

• I. E. Thompson , K. French , +3 authors B. Potter
• Published in British medical journal 28 February 1981

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University Research Policies

Research Integrity and Ethics

At Robert Gordon University our research governance structures aim to support good research practice and quality of research.

Robert Gordon University is committed to hosting an environment in which ethics and integrity are central to research.  Policies aligning with research integrity and ethics, training opportunities and engagement with external bodies are some of the proactive approaches the university is taking to support researchers and research activity.  

Members of staff or student, can visit the SharePoint pages for guidance and support:

Research Ethics 

Research at RGU covers a broad range of disciplines and we have systems in place to support the review of research ethics.  Each Academic School has their own School Ethics Review Panel.

The Research Integrity and Ethics Sub-Committee (RIESC) reports to the Research Committee.  The remit of RIESC is to develop and monitor the implementation of a quality management system for the University in respect of research governance and, so far as it is reasonably possible, the maintenance and enhancement of ethical standards in the conduct of research (including consultancy and professional practice) undertaken by employees and students of the University.  

Research Integrity

The RGU Research Integrity Officer is the named contact for raising concerns or questions regarding research integrity and can be contacted at [email protected].

The UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) is an independent advisory body, offering support to the public, researchers, and organisations to further good practice in research. 

RGU has been a subscriber of UKRIO since 2023. 

Concordat to Support Research Integrity

At RGU we are committed to uphold the standards and principles outlined in the Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

RGU Annual Statement

The Annual Statement for 2023-24 will be published January 2025.

Research Integrity and Ethics Policies

To support research good practice and quality research, we have policies specifically relating to research governance including our Research Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Research Ethics Policy.  

Research Integrity and Misconduct Policy

Research Ethics Policy

Further policies that are relevant to research are available online:

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