Human Research Ethics Committee

Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with morality and, as such, is concerned with distinguishing between good and evil in the world, between right and wrong human actions. It looks at the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by a person or by members of a group or profession

Medical ethics is thus a field of applied ethics, the study of moral values and judgments as they apply directly to medicine. As a scholarly discipline, medical ethics encompasses practical applications in clinical settings as well as history, philosophy, theology, and sociology.

PURPOSE OF THE HUMAN RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE

The role of the Ethics Committee is to protect the rights and welfare of human participants involved in research studies. It does this by assessing all applications for research involving humans, raising any concerns with the investigators and then, if satisfied with the integrity of the proposal, approving and monitoring its progress.

The Ethics Committee abides by the guidelines set out in the current version of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023), incorporating all updates.

This document identifies the ethical principles and values which should govern research involving humans. Is also provides guidance for researchers, ethics committees, institutions, organisations and the public on how such research should be designed and conducted so as to conform to and reflect those principles and values. A copy of the National Statement can be downloaded from the NHMRC web-site.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

The Concord Repatriation General Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee is currently seeking expressions of interest for vacancies in the following category:

• Community Representatives, who have no affiliation with the institution and do not currently engage in medical, scientific, legal or academic work

If you wish to express interest in joining the Committee in the above capacity, please contact:

HREC Executive Officer - Ms Kate Flinders SLHD-ConcordEthics@health.nsw.gov.au 

HREC Co Chair - A/Professor Anne Wand Anne.Wand@health.nsw.gov.au

HREC Co Chair - Dr Janani Thillainadesan Janani.Thillainadesan@health.nsw.gov.au