Cambridgeshire 2 Research Ethics Committee (REC)

Administrator: Elaina M Friend

	Cambridgeshire 2 Research Ethics Committee
	REC Office, Victoria House, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB1 5XB
	Tel: 01223 597 693
	Fax: 01223 597 645
	Email: elaina.friend@eoe.nhs.uk

The Cambridgeshire 2 Research Ethics Committee (REC) is an advisory committee to the East of England Strategic Health Authority, and it is not accountable in any way to the NHS Trusts.

The purpose of the REC is to assess the safety, appropriateness and quality of proposed research in order to protect as far as possible all actual or potential research participants and the researchers.

Research ethics committees were first established in 1967. In 1991, the Department of Health issued guidelines indicating that no NHS body should support research without the approval of a local ethics committee. The Department of Health, British Medical Association (BMA) and Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries (ABPI) established a framework of standards by which all RECs could ensure consistency of performance. This was launched in 1994. In 1997, multi-centre research ethics committees (MRECs) were established under Health Service Guidelines (HSG/97/23).

In 2000, the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) was established to give policy advice and support for the RECs and researchers. COREC's remit also includes operational systems and training for REC members and administrators. In March 2004, the EU Guidelines were implemented and all RECs adopted the National Standard Operating Procedures and Application Form.

The National Research Ethics Service (NRES) was launched on 1 April 2007. NRES will incorporate the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) and NHS Research Ethics Committees (RECs) in England

Cambridgeshire currently has four RECs:

• Cambridgeshire 1
• Cambridgeshire 2
• Cambridgeshire 3
• Cambridgeshire 4

The Cambridgeshire 2 REC, which is chaired by Professor G. E. Berrios, meets monthly to review full submissions, and the Sub-committee meets approximately 3 times a month to carry out site-specific assessments of approved Multi-region REC submissions.

The REC is independent from the Trust Research and Development (R&D) department in respect of accountability for their operational processes and decision-making. However, the R&D Office does assist researchers throughout the region in making submissions to the REC and the office also works with the REC to ensure that any concerns of the management of Addenbrooke’s NHS Trust harmonise with those of the Cambridge REC.

For further information on Research Ethics Committees please visit the Central Office of Research Ethics Committees website

This webpage is hosted by Addenbrooke's Hospital