Local Research Ethics Committee

The provision of the National Health Service on the Island is set out in the NHS Act 2001.

The role of the Committee is to provide the independent advice to the Department, participants, researchers, sponsors, employers, care organisations and professionals on the extent to which proposals for research studies comply with recognised ethical standards.

The purpose of the Committee is to review any proposed study and to protect the dignity, rights, safety and well being of all actual or potential research participants.

Provisional dates for 2017:

• 19 July
• 16 August
• 20 September
• 15 November

Procedures

The IOM REC is different to RECs in the UK as we only make recommendations to the Department of Health and Social Care. 

When an application is received ( on the official recognised application form, shown on the web page) and at least two weeks before the meeting at which it is to be considered, the applicant will be invited to attend the meeting and briefly outline the project research.  This is helpful even though all members will have read the full papers submitted. 

The Committee find that often an application will not be adequately specific about some of the following

• Confidentiality (much more important on a small Island),
• Adequate description of the project in understandable language for participants in the project and on the consent form
• Funding or proposed funding sources
• Indemnity aspects.
• If other ethical approval has been given, it is good to receive a copy of their approval; however it is stressed that IOM approval will be independent of other approvals. 

After the meeting has been held the secretary will notify the applicant whether they are recommending the project for approval to the Department or on what conditions.  The Department will notify the applicant within a few days of the meeting of their decision.  The research should not be commenced until receipt of the DHSC approval. 

The Secretary to the committee is available to meet with applicants or speak with them on any queries that may arise in completion of the application form or procedure.  Please contact the secretary  by email fourlegg@manx.net or telephone +44 1624 851350.

All meetings are booked for Seminar Room 1 Keyll Darree at 5pm on the dates shown above.

Email applications are required 2 weeks prior to the meeting or three weeks if the application is from the UK. Please use email address below.

Advice regarding submissions can be obtained from the Secretary to the Committee or from the Department of Health and Social Care, Crookall House (telephone +44 1624 642625).

All submissions should be made to: