The Alfred Ethics Committee
At Alfred Health, responsibility for the
ethical design, review and conduct of human research is exercised
principally by researchers and the Alfred Ethics Committee. In addition,
responsibility is also exercised by Alfred Health which incorporates The
Alfred, Caulfield Hopital and Sandringham Hospital, organisations funding the research, and by the Australian
Government through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Researchers are responsible for the ethical design and conduct of research.
The Alfred HREC is responsible for ethical review of the research. Alfred
Health is responsible for ensuring that ethical review of the research
occurs; and for ensuring the proper conduct of research.
The line of accountability for these
responsibilities runs:
- from researchers to the Alfred Ethics
Committee
- from the Alfred Ethics Committee to Alfred
Health
- from Alfred Health to organisations
funding the research, and to NHMRC
This is usually done in the form of reports
to the different agencies.
The Ethics Committee is constituted according to NHMRC guidelines and
reports to the AMREP
Council. It meets once a month to review research applications and
address any ethical issues that have been brought to its notice.
The Committee comprises:
-
A chairperson
-
At least two laywomen not associated with the
institution
-
At least two laymen not associated with the
institution
-
At least three members with knowledge of, and
current experience in professional care or treatment of people
-
At least three members with knowledge of, and
current experience in the areas of research that are regularly considered
by the Committee, including a nurse
-
At least two lawyers
-
At least two ministers of religion
-
A secretary
The
Ethics Committee has two subcommittees, the Research Review Committee and
the General Ethical Issues Subcommittee
[Members]
[Meeting dates]
[Terms of reference]
Research
Review Committee
The Research Review Committee reviews all high risk research projects for scientific validity.
Membership includes a clinical pharmacologist who reviews all CTN applications.
Meetings are held two weeks before the main
Ethics Committee meeting. The Research Review Committee makes recommendations regarding approval
or interviews to the Ethics Committee.
[Meeting
dates] [Terms of reference]
General Ethical Issues Subcommittee
The General Ethical Issues Subcommittee
meets monthly to keep abreast of issues that are constantly arising with the emergence of
new diseases, new medical and scientific technologies and changes in community attitudes.
This subcommittee provides a forum for discussion of ethical matters relating to patient
care from the points of view of both the patient and those providing patient care.
Alfred staff members who have any relevant
issues that they would like to be considered by the General Ethical Issues Subcommittee,
may direct enquiries by e-mail to research@alfred.org.au.
[Members] [Meeting
dates] [Terms of reference]