Welcome to the National Research Ethics Service

Patients and the public

The National Research Ethics Service (NRES) exists to facilitate ethical research that is of potential benefit to participants, science and society. It is hoped that such research can build on current healthcare knowledge and ultimately to deliver better care and treatment for all. 
 
NRES provides robust, ethical review of proposed research via Research Ethics Committees (RECs). These independent committees put the rights, safety, dignity and well-being of research participants at the centre of their decision making.

You can read more about the roles of NRES and RECs in the About the National Research Ethics Service section. 

Public involvement in RECs

•  Lay REC members and the contribution that they make to the ethical review process.

Public involvement in research

• See how the public can actively get involved in the research process, other than being participants or subjects of the research.

Selected articles about health research

• Staying Informed