We’re delighted to announce that we have recently published our Annual Report for Research Ethics Committees in England for April 2023 to March 2024.
The report gives an overview of the activity of the RECs in England and sheds light on key highlights, whilst identifying areas that can be developed to further enhance the service.
Applications reviewed
Our 64 RECs provide an efficient and robust ethics review service, to make sure that research is ethically reviewed and approved. During the annual reporting period, they reviewed:
- 2445 research applications, with 96% of studies being reviewed in less than 60 days
- 790 proportionate review applications, taking on average 21 days to reach a final opinion
- 179 fast track applications, with a median time of 26 days to reach a final opinion
Our Generic Review Committee, a small but vital team made up of two people, review materials used in recruitment to research. Between 2023 and 2024, they impressively reviewed almost 200 submissions within an average of five days.
Key highlights
Between 2023 and 2024, we celebrated many successes including:
Quality Standards for Participant Information (QS) and Design and Review Principles (DRP)
The Participant Information Quality Standards (QS) and Design and Review Principles (DRP) were rolled out for all applications in December 2023.
The purpose of the QS and DRP are to:
- improve participant information; how it’s developed ethically, proportionately, and reviewed
- make research ethics review even more consistent, proportionate and focussed on ethics
- continue to build trust in the service, for participants, applicants and the public
- continue to attract innovative research to the UK
Face-to-face REC development days
Seven face-to-face REC development days were held from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The development days provided members with an opportunity to meet in person and to network with members of other RECs and HRA staff. These were held across England and were attended by 396 REC members. There was also an online version of the development day attended by 51 members.
Shared Ethical Debate
The introduction of a different approach to the Shared Ethical Debate. The exercise was run online, using a survey tool, with all REC members being invited to take part. This was a change in approach as the response would be from individuals as opposed to the REC. 207 members participated in our first new shared ethical debate on payments and incentives to young people and their families taking part in research.
REC membership
Progress was made in terms of how REC members were recruited in 2023/24. There were 883 members at the end of the annual reporting period.
The HRA also started running a ‘stepping into chairing’ course in January 2024. Two sessions have been held and 14 members have attended so far.
We are extremely thankful and proud of our Research Ethics Committee volunteers who play a vital role in making sure health and social care research is ethical and fair for patients. Our new annual report demonstrates how much they do and the important contribution they make to research
And it doesn’t stop there…
We’re proud to work with such dedicated REC volunteers, who not only give their valuable time to review research applications, but who have also supported the HRA in many ways between 2023 and 2024, including:
- 12 REC member mentors delivered training and support to newly appointed members with the research ethics review process
- 79% of members joined the new learning platform on NIHR learn, 11 informal drop in sessions were held for REC members to attend
We’re extremely thankful for the significant and valuable contributions which REC members provide to help make the UK an excellent place to conduct health and social care research. REC members play a pivotal role in helping the HRA achieve its strategic objectives and give their time freely and generously to enable high quality research to take place in the UK.