FPNSW Ethics Committee

The role of the Family Planning Ethics NSW Committee is to consider the ethical implications of research proposals involving human subjects that are conducted under the auspices of Family Planning NSW or utilise Family Planning NSW facilities. In special circumstances the Ethics Committee may also review research proposals in the sexual and reproductive health field for researchers not aligned with Family Planning NSW, by arrangement.

Ethical review involves a critical examination of research proposals to ensure that the rights and wellbeing of participants are protected and that processes are fair and equitable. Every research proposal must comply with standards articulated in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). The National Statement focuses on:

• Balancing benefits and risks
• Requirements of informed consent
• Ethical considerations specific to particular research methods
• Ethical considerations specific to participants, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, children, pregnant women, people in dependent relations, people with cognitive impairment, intellectual disability or mental illness
• Research governance and review processes.

The Family Planning NSW Ethics Committee is constituted in accordance with the National Statement. Both the membership and the chair are volunteers, who undertake tasks that can be quite time consuming and involved.

The Ethics Committee is supported by the Ethics Executive Officer, a staff member of Family Planning NSW.

Lean more about the Family Planning NSW Ethics Committee:

• Terms of Reference (V1 - Nov 2007)
• Standard Operating Procedures (V2 - Mar 2008)
• Meeting dates (2010)
• Scientific Advisory Group