Revised TOR January 2006
Health and Social Services
ETHICS COMMITTEE CONSTITUTION AND TERMS OF REFERENCE
1. Terms of reference
a) To advise the Minister for Health and Social Services on policy regarding ethical issues in respect of health and social care;
b) To consider specific issues relating to clinical research proposals;
c) To respond to requests from clinicians in all disciplines and managers for support on ethical matters arising in clinical practice
2 Membership
2.1 The membership of the Ethics Committee shall consist of:
| Nominated by - |
Five non-clinical members | Chief Officer, Health and Social Services |
A member of the consultant medical staff | Medical Staff Committee |
A general medical practitioner | Jersey Medical Society |
A senior nurse | Chief Nursing Officer |
A pharmacist | Chief Pharmacist |
Any other person nominated by the Minister for Health and Social Services. | |
| | |
2.2 The members of the Ethics Committee shall be appointed by the Minister ordinarily for a period of three years. Re-appointment is permitted and, to ensure continuity, staggering of appointments shall be arranged.
2.3 The Chairman shall be appointed by the Ethics Committee from amongst its membership.
2.4 The non-clinical membership of the Ethics Committee shall include at least one person with an understanding of law and at least one member of the clergy, and this should be taken into account in determining appointments to the Committee.
2.5 The Ethics Committee may nominate an ad hoc panel of at least two members, comprising one clinical and one non-clinical person, to advise on minor research proposals and items which are not considered by the panel to be contentious. The panel shall document its conclusions and report to each meeting of the Ethics Committee. All matters which have significant ethical implications will be referred to a full meeting of the Ethics Committee.
2.6 A clinician encountering a difficult ethical decision may request the establishment at short notice of a panel of at least two members of the Committee, comprising one clinical and one non-clinical person, to informally discuss the particular issue and assist him or her in coming to a decision.
2.7 The Committee may, at its discretion, co-opt other persons to any meetings; for example, in order to assist in the consideration of specialised subjects.
3. Reporting
3.1 The Ethics Committee will report its deliberations to the Minister for Health and Social Services; and it shall maintain a written record of its recommendations.
3.2 The Ethics Committee may advise the Minister whether it supports, does not support, or wishes to make recommendations in respect of any issue that it has considered.
3.3 The Ethics Committee will consider more general ethical matters and prepare ethics advice for the Minister as requested.
4. Meetings and conduct of business
4.1 A quorum of the Committee shall comprise its Chairman, or a nominated deputy, and three other members, including at least one clinical and one non-clinical member.
4.2 Meetings shall ordinarily be arranged on four occasions each year; however, the Chairman may call additional meetings if he deems it necessary.
4.3 An agenda will ordinarily be distributed to members at least one week before a meeting, and the proceedings shall be formally minuted. The agendas and minutes shall also be made available to the Minister for Health and Social Services and the Chief Executive.
Health and Social Services
January 2006