17 Mar 2016
Holly Kernot
Job Title
RCVS.
Veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons who wish to serve as members of the RCVS Ethics Review Panel (ERP) can submit their applications now.
The ERP has been established by the RCVS to facilitate ethical review access for those wishing to undertake practice-based research outside of a university or industry context.
The ERP trial follows a recommendation from a joint working party established by the RCVS and BVA. In its report, the party said it found an increasing amount of clinical research was being conducted by private practice-based vets. It therefore implored the college to consider establishing a committee to review such research.
According to the college, the ERP will begin considering research proposals from vets and vet nurses from 1 August, with a trial set to run for one year. For this trial, the process will be limited to considering research projects involving cats and/or dogs, with the possibility of expanding to other species if the trial is extended or made permanent.
The RCVS is looking to recruit four vet members and a vet nurse member for the ERP. They will join a lay member and ethicist chairman.
More details about the roles, the function of the ERP and how to apply can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/workforus and www.rcvs.org.uk/ethics
Those interested in applying can also email [email protected] for an informal discussion. The closing date for applications is 15 April.
