The East Kent Local Research Ethics Committee
The latest arrangements came into force on 1 March 2004. Dr
Roger Wheeldon, a local general practitioner, is the Chairman.
The purpose of an LREC is to:
- Maintain ethical standards of practice in research, and
to ensure that guidelines issued by relevant bodies are adhered
to.
- Protect subjects of research from harm.
- Preserve the subject's rights.
- Provide reassurance to the public that this is being done.
An LREC should be consulted on the ethical issues of a proposed
research project where it involves:
- NHS patients, including those under contracts with private
sector providers.
- Fetal material and IVF involving NHS patients.
- The recently dead, in NHS premises.
- Access to the records of past or present NHS patients.
- Use of, or potential access to, NHS premises or facilities.
Although there is no legal obligation for a researcher to submit
a study for ethical approval, any investigator who bypasses
or ignores the recommendations of a properly authorised Ethics
Committee creates a potentially serious situation, which could
make him or her vulnerable to professional disciplinary or even
legal proceedings.
The EKLREC meets on the last Wednesday of every month and the
closing date for submissions is normally two weeks prior to
the meeting date.
Application forms and guidance notes are available from
the Committee Administrator, Nicki Watts, who can be contacted
at:
Preston Hall
Aylesford
Maidstone
ME20 7NJ
Email: nicki.watts@nhs.net
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