October 2024 to March 2025
This report includes data relating to REC audits conducted and action plans completed in the period October 2024 to March 2025.
The report is reviewed by the UK wide Delivery and Support teams in order to review trends and to take forward any actions in order to improve the service provided by the Research Ethics Service (RES).
During the current reporting period 16 audits were completed and 14 action plans reviewed and verified as completed.
REC audits and accreditation status awarded
| Name of REC | Audit period | Accreditation status awarded |
| South Central – Hampshire B | Aug 2023 – Jul 2024 | Full accreditation |
| South West – Frenchay | Sep 2023 – Aug 2024 | Provisional accreditation |
| North of Scotland 2 | Sep 2023 – Aug 2024 | Accreditation with Conditions |
| Wales REC 7 | Sep 2023 – Aug 2024 | Full accreditation |
| East of England - Cambridge East | Oct 2023 – Sep 2024 | Full accreditation |
| North of Scotland 1 | Nov 2023 – Oct 2024 | Full accreditation |
| Wales REC 6 | Nov 2023 – Oct 2024 | Accreditation with Conditions |
| London - Harrow | Nov 2023 – Oct 2024 | Provisional accreditation |
| West Midlands - Black Country | Nov 2023 – Oct 2024 | Full accreditation |
| Scotland A | Nov 2023 – Oct 2024 | Accreditation with Conditions |
| Scotland B | Nov 2023 – Oct 2024 | Accreditation with Conditions |
| South Central – Berkshire B | Dec 2023 – Nov 2024 | Full accreditation |
| East of Scotland 1 | Dec 2023 – Nov 2024 | Full accreditation |
| West of Scotland 3 | Dec 2023 – Nov 2024 | Full accreditation |
| West of Scotland 5 | Dec 2023 – Nov 2024 | Full accreditation |
| London - Surrey | Dec 2023 – Nov 2024 | Accreditation with Conditions |
REC Audit Decisions October 2024 to March 2025
Figure 1 shows the breakdown of REC audit decisions made during the reporting period October 2024 to March 2025.
The graph shows that out of the 16 RECs audited, 13% were given a provisional accreditation, 56% were given full accreditation and 31% were given accreditation with conditions.
The data is also available in a separate file. Download the CSV file for Figure 1.
RECs achieving Full Accreditation after completion of an action plan
| Name of REC | Latest date action plan should be completed | Date completed action plan received | Date full accreditation received |
|
London – Stanmore* |
22-Oct-24 | 22-Oct-24 | 22-Oct-24 |
|
Wales REC 5 |
25-Oct-24 | 22-Oct-24 | 23-Oct-24 |
|
North West – GM West* |
01-Nov-24 | 28-Oct-24 | 12-Nov-24 |
|
East of England – Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire |
14-Nov-24 | 28-Nov-28 | 28-Nov-28 |
|
North West – GM East* |
30-Nov-24 | 02-Dec-24 | 11-Dec-24 |
|
HSC A |
12-Dec-24 | 10-Dec-24 | 10-Dec-24 |
|
Seasonal REC |
08-Jan-25 | 09-Oct-24 | 10-Oct-24 |
|
North West – GM South |
23-Jan-25 | 23-Oct-24 | 23-Oct-24 |
|
West Midlands – Edgbaston* |
25-Jan-25 | 27-Jan-25 | 10-Feb-25 |
|
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire * |
28-Feb-25 | 27-Feb-25 | 06-Mar-25 |
|
East of England - Cambridge South* |
11-Mar-25 | 11-Mar-25 | 12-Mar-25 |
|
East of England - Essex |
11-Mar-25 | 11-Mar-25 | 12-Mar-25 |
|
London – Dulwich* |
11-Mar-25 | 11-Mar-25 | 12-Mar-25 |
|
West Midlands – Solihull* |
17-Mar-25 | 17-Mar-25 | 18-Mar-25 |
* REC given either an extension to complete the action plan or Short Term Accreditation.
Action Plan Decisions
Figure 2 shows the action plan decisions during the current reporting period (October 2024 to March 2025) and the previous two reporting periods (April to September 2024 and October 2023 to March 2024).
The graph shows the number of RECs completing an action plan which was signed off on time for the current reporting period (6 RECs) has decreased from the previous reporting periods April to September 2024 (12 action plans) and October 2023 to March 2024 (11 action plans).
The number of action plans where the REC was given an extension to complete the actions for the current reporting period (2 RECs) has increased from the previous reporting period April to September 2024 (0 RECs) and decreased from the reporting period October 2023 to March 2024 (3 RECs).
The number of RECs given short term accreditation, after completion of the action plan, for the current reporting period (6 RECs) has increased from the previous reporting periods April to September 2024 (1 REC) and October 2023 to March 2024 (2 RECs).
The data is also available in a separate file. Download the CSV file for Figure 2.
Issues from incomplete action plans
Figure 3 shows the breakdown of the issues from the action plans, which were not fully compliant, and either an extension or short term accreditation was given to the REC to complete before full accreditation could be confirmed.
The graph shows that there were 2 issues relating to the management of minutes, 4 issues in relation to members training, 1 issue on members attendance and 2 issues relating to compliance with SOPs.
The data is also available in a separate file. Download the CSV file for Figure 3.
Number of issues, raised in action plans, for each audited REC during the current and previous reporting periods
Figure 4 shows the number of action plan issues raised for each audited REC during the current reporting period (October 2024 to March 2025) and the previous two reporting periods (April to September 2024 and October 2023 to March 2024).
The graph shows the number of RECs being issued an action plan with 1-3 actions for the current reporting period (7 RECs) has decreased from the previous reporting periods April to September 2024 (16 RECs) and October 2023 to March 2024 (9 RECs).
No RECs were issued with an action plan with 4-6 issues for the current reporting period which has decreased from the previous reporting periods April to September 2024 (1 REC) and October 2023 to March 2024 (3 RECs).
No RECs were issued with an action plan with 7 or more issues for the current reporting period which mirrors the previous reporting period April to September 2024 (0 RECs) and is a decrease from October 2023 to March 2024 (1 REC).
The data is also available in a separate file. Download the CSV file for figure 4.
Breakdown of unmet accreditation audit standards for the current and previous reporting period
Figure 5 compares the number of unmet standards relating to membership for the current reporting period (October 2024 to March 2025 – 16 RECs) with those unmet standards for the previous reporting periods (April to September 2024 – 27 RECs and October 2023 to March 2024 – 21 RECs audited).
The graph shows trends of the five audit categories relating to membership standards. There is a decrease in issues relating to indemnity for the current reporting period (0 RECs) from the previous reporting period April to September 2024 (2 RECs) and October 2023 to March 2024 (1 REC).
Actions relating to training shows a decrease in issues with 7 action plan issues for the current reporting period compared with 14 for the previous reporting period (April to September 2024) and 8 issues for the October 2023 to March 2024.
There was a decrease in non-compliance relating to attendance with 1 action plan issue raised for the current reporting period, compared with 9 issues for the previous reporting period (April to September 2024) and 3 issues for the previous reporting period (October 2023 to March 2024).
Issues relating to the constitution has decreased for the current reporting period with 1 issue raised, compared with 5 issues raised for the previous reporting period (April to September 2024 and 7 issues for October 2023 to March 2024.
Actions relating to other issues (eg Declarations of Interest) shows a decrease with no issues raised for the current reporting period, compared with 2 issues for the previous reporting period April to September 2024, and mirrors the reporting period October 2024 to March.
The data is also available in a separate file. Download the CSV file for Figure 5.
Figure 6 compares the number of unmet standards relating to minutes,correspondence, and SOPs for the current reporting period (October 2024 to March 2025 – 16 RECs) with those unmet standards for the previous reporting periods (April to September 2024 – 27 RECs and October 2023 to March 2024 – 21 RECs).
The graph shows the number of unmet standards relating to management of minutes for the current reporting period has decreased wit 1 issue raised, compared to 3 issues for the reporting period April to September 2024 and 4 issues for the reporting period October 2023 to March 2024.
No issues were raised in relation to the quality of minutes (as per best practice) for the current reporting period, which mirrors the previous reporting period April to September 2024 and is a decrease from the reporting period October 2023 to March 2024 where 1 issue was raised.
No issues were raised in relation to the quality of correspondence (as per best practice) for the current reporting period, which mirrors the previous reporting period April to September 2024 and is a decrease from the reporting period October 2023 to March 2024 where 2 issues were raised.
There was a decrease in unmet standards relating to non-compliance to SOPs (for example inquorate meetings) with no issues raised for the current reporting period, compared to 4 issues for April to September 2024 and 11 issues for October 2023 to March 2024.
The data is also available in a separate file. Download the CSV file for Figure 6.
Analysis of recommendations detailed in audit reports
Recommendations are issues which are deemed to be low enough risk not to warrant an action plan requiring review and sign off by the HRA QA department. Compliance against recommendations are actioned by the appropriate Approvals team (Support/Operational Delivery).
Recommendations relating to Membership
Figure 7 shows the breakdown of the 101 recommendations made which related to membership.
The graph shows that the recommendations, relating to membership, were low-level non-compliance regarding training (25%), appointment/re-appointment documentation (19%), attendance (13%) and constitution (including capacity of members) (18%). Other recommendations (26%) related to inaccurate/missing membership details on HARP, missing annual DOI forms etc.
The data is also available in a separate file. Download the CSV file for Figure 7.
Recommendations relating to Minutes, Correspondence and SOPs
Figure 8 shows the breakdown of the 49 recommendations made relating to the management of minutes, correspondence and SOPs.
The graph shows that the recommendations, relating to minutes, correspondence and SOPs, included low-level non-compliance against SOPs (DOIs, membership list, referees, delegation and other issues) (35%), the management of minutes (ratification/uploading) (24%)*, the quality of minutes as per best practice (18%) and the quality of correspondence as per best practice (21%).
* to note the requirement to prepare and upload PR and sub committee minutes was removed from 1June 2024.
The data is also available in a separate file. Download the CSV file for Figure 8.
Report completion times
All the HRA QA procedure timelines were met during the reporting period.