New ‘public conversation’ looks at ethics review for health and social care research

*This survey is now closed*

Health and Care Research Wales has been working closely with the Health Research Authority (HRA) on the launch of a ‘public conversation’ about how research ethics review could be changed to make it better for researchers, ethics committee members and people taking part in research.  

Learning from COVID-19 

Learning from reviewing research during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Authority is seeking reactions to its ideas for making ethics review more innovative and efficient, whilst retaining public trust. 

The consultation is part of Think Ethics an initiative which was launched to the research community in September 2021 and has already made changes to improve research and how it is reviewed by:  

• retaining ‘virtual’ Research Ethics Committees meetings used during the pandemic 

• attracting a more diverse group of people to become committee members and enabling research teams to work more closely with committees to make their research more ethical  

• developing a new policy to require research teams to involve patients and the public in developing information for study participants. This forms part of a new policy we will be introducing to make sure that information for study participants is accessible and understandable 

• taking the public temperature about ethical research, working with members of the public to find out what they value most and feel they need to maintain trust in ethics review 

Your opinion matters 

An online survey – which will run alongside a series of workshops – will explore three potential changes to the ways in which ethics review is carried out.  

These are to: 

• introduce a tool to support researchers to think ethically before they submit their study for review  

• utilise expert Research Ethics Service staff in reviewing lower risk research, freeing up time for committees to focus on more complex research 

• delegate ethics review for studies within a programme of research to research institutions, cutting back bureaucracy for programmes which already have ethics approval 

Patients, research participants, researchers and organisations and institutions which oversee research are all being asked to either fill in an online survey or get involved in a number of workshops, both online and face-to-face between now and Friday 23 September.  

Redefine the way we work 

Alex Newberry, Head of Public Involvement, Research and Development Division, Welsh Government, said: “Here in Wales we want to make sure every research project is ethically reviewed so that the interests of participants are fully considered and it’s as impactful as possible. 

“We’re proud to have Welsh ethics committee members helping researchers and research participants on a range of health and social studies, like our counterparts from across the UK, and the pandemic has shone a light on how we can redefine the way we work. 

“This consultation will provide a great platform to share experiences and ideas on how we can make efficiencies while retaining the quality and nature of ethical review to ensure we’re funding and correctly supporting research which benefits not only people in Wales but the UK and across the world.” 

People and ethics at the heart of research 

Professor Andrew George, HRA non-executive director, a researcher and former Research Ethics Committee member, has been chairing a special advisory group to help develop the ideas that will be discussed in the conversation. 

He said: “Since Think Ethics was launched in September 2021, we have been having a conversation with a range of interested people, including members of the public, about how ethics review could change to make sure that people and ethics really are at the heart of research.”  

Staff from the UK Research Ethics Service and Research Ethics Committee members are also being consulted.  

The Research Ethics Service is made up of 84 Research Ethics Committees which has a strong reputation globally. Research ethics review plays an important role in making health and social care research ethical and people centred. It played a vital role in the research response to the COVID-19 pandemic, reviewing research to the same high standards in a fraction of the time. This experience told us that they could build on those strong foundations to develop a service which is the best in the world. 

“We want to hear from you” 

Jonathan Fennelly-Barnwell added: “We want to hear from you. Whether you are a member of the public, a current or former Research Ethics Committee member, staff involved in research review, a researcher, research organisation or you’ve taken part in a study, your opinion matters to us.” 

Find out more about Think Ethics.  

Take part in the online survey which runs from 13 June until 23 September 2022.