The UK government has appointed an advisory group to review the operation of research ethics committees controlling research in the NHS in England, with the aim of streamlining procedures.

In a written statement on 16 November health minister Lord Warner told the House of Commons that he had asked a small ad hoc group of scientists and lay members to review the system that supports NHS research ethics committees in England and to make recommendations for further steps to improve their operation. The group will meet for the first time this month and will report to health ministers by the end of March 2005.

The advisory group has been asked to provide independent advice to the government on the effectiveness of procedures used by NHS research ethics committee when they review proposals for research that will be carried out in the …