The NRH Ethics Committee – Terms of Reference
Note:
Under Article 9 of the Constitution of the National Rehabilitation Hospital enacted as of 1st January 2007 by the Provincial Leader of the South Province of the Religious Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy, the Board of Management of the Hospital may set up and delegate specific powers to one or more sub-committees comprising such numbers of the Board or partly of such members and partly of other persons whom the Board may consider suitable for any particular purpose. The Board is required to clearly define the authority and powers of any sub-committee so formed. The Board pursuant to Article 9, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution delegates to the Ethics Committee responsibility for the consideration, determination and advice on all matters concerning Ethics within the NRH and including but not restricted to :-
- The authorisation and, or consideration of Research proposals in accordance with the procedures to be determined by the Ethics Committee.
- To provide guidance, clarification and consultation on ethical issues concerning the provision of health care within the Hospital.
- To encourage and regulate and monitor medical research within and concerning the Hospital.
- To provide clarification and consultation on ethical matters concerning policies and procedures within the Hospital.
- To protect and maintain respect for the health, wellbeing, right to privacy and dignity of the patient.
In these Terms of Reference: “the Committee” means the Ethics Committee. “the Hospital” means the National Rehabilitation Hospital. “the Board” means the Board of Management of the Hospital
1. Membership
1.1. Members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board. The Committee shall be made up of at least twelve members.
1.2. Only members of the Committee have the right to attend Committee meetings. However, other individuals such as other Board members, and the Chief Executive, may be invited to attend all or part of any meeting as and when appropriate.
1.3. The Chairman of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board.
1.4. The term of office of each member shall be for a period of three years and may be renewed at the discretion of the Board.
2. Secretary
2.1 The Secretary to the Board or his / her nominee shall act as the Secretary of the Committee.
3. Quorum
3.1 The quorum necessary for the transaction of business shall be five members of whom three at least shall be non-executive members. A duly convened meeting of the Committee at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all or any of the authorities, powers and discretions vested in or exercisable by the Committee.
3.2 Attendance at a meeting may include attendance via teleconferencing facilities
4. Frequency of Meetings
4.1 The Committee shall meet at least three times in each year and otherwise as required.
5. Notice of Meetings
5.1. Meetings of the Committee shall be convened by the Secretary of the Committee at the request of the Chairman of the Committee.
5.2. Unless otherwise agreed, notice of each meeting confirming the venue, time and date together with an agenda of items to be discussed, shall be forwarded to each member of the Committee, any other person required to attend, no later than 3 working days before the date of the meeting. Supporting papers shall be sent to Committee members and to other attendees as appropriate at the same time.
6. Minutes of Meetings
6.1. The Secretary shall minute the proceedings and resolutions of all meetings of the Committee, including recording the names of those present and in attendance.
6.2. The Secretary shall note, at the beginning of each meeting, the existence of any conflicts of interest and minute them accordingly.
6.3. Minutes of Committee meetings are available through the office of the CEO if required.
7. Annual General Meeting
7.1 The Chairman of the Committee, or his / her nominee, shall attend the Annual General Meeting prepared to respond to any questions on the Committee’s activities.
8. Duties
The Committee shall carry out the duties below for the Hospital:
8.1 Main Duties
The Ethics Committee shall be responsible for the consideration, determination and advice on all matters concerning Ethics within the Hospital and including but not restricted to:
8.1.1. The authorisation and, or consideration of Research proposals in accordance with the procedures to be determined by the Ethics Committee.
8.1.2. The consideration and, or regulation of Clinical Trials in accordance with the procedures to be determined by the Ethics Committee.
8.1.3. To provide guidance, clarification and consultation on Ethical issues concerning the provision of health care within the Hospital.
8.1.4. To encourage and regulate and monitor medical research within and concerning the Hospital.
8.1.5. To provide clarification and consultation on Ethical matters concerning policies and procedures within the Hospital.
8.1.6. To protect and maintain respect for the health, wellbeing, right to privacy and dignity of the patient.
8.2 Reporting Responsibilities
8.2.1. The Committee Chairman shall report formally to the Board on its proceedings after each meeting on all matters within its duties and responsibilities.
8.2.2. The Committee shall make whatever recommendations to the Board it deems appropriate on any area within its remit where action or improvement is needed.
8.3 Other Matters
The Committee shall:
8.3.1. Have access to sufficient resources in order to carry out its duties, including access to the Hospital’s secretariat for assistance as required;
8.3.2. Be provided with appropriate and timely training, both in the form of an induction programme for new members and on an ongoing basis for all members;
8.3.3. Oversee any investigation of activities which are within its terms of reference;
8.3.4. Once a year, review its own performance, and terms of reference, to ensure it is operating at maximum effectiveness and recommend any changes it considers necessary to the Board for approval.
9. Authority
The Committee is authorised:
9.1. To seek any information it requires from any employee of the Hospital in order to perform its duties;
9.2. To obtain, at the Hospital’s expense, outside legal or other professional advice on any matter within its terms of reference; and
9.3. To call any employee to be questioned at a meeting of the Committee as and when required.
Terms of Reference approved by the Ethics Committee of the National Rehabilitation Hospital – February 2020