Do I need NHS REC review?

Welcome

Not all research conducted within the UK requires review by an NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC).

This decision tool:

• will help you to determine if your study requires a review by an NHS REC
• will not tell you whether you need any other regulatory approvals and/or types of ethics review

You should check what other reviews or approvals are needed for your research irrespective of the result from this tool.

At each stage of the decision tool you will be asked a series of questions. Read each question carefully and answer by selecting the 'YES' or 'NO' buttons.

To help you with terminology, a GLOSSARY button is available at the bottom every page. All links to individual glossary items or other websites appear in blue text and open in a new window.

Select the ALGORITHM button, which is at the bottom of every page, for more detailed information about both the policy and legislation requirements for NHS REC review that apply to the UK or to particular countries of the UK.

Post Market Surveillance is NOT usually considered research. However, there are some circumstances where an NHS REC review may be required. Select YES below to determine if your post market surveillance requires NHS REC review.