SBC - National Ethics Advisory Committee

Appointments to Health Statutory Bodies
Information On A Particular Statutory Body

National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability Support Services Ethics (National Ethics Advisory Committee)

Relevant Legislation
The National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability Support Services Ethics (the National Ethics Advisory Committee) is a ministerial advisory committee established under section 16 of the New Zealand Health and Disability Act 2000.

Click here to see the relevant legislation

Functions
The National Ethics Advisory Committee's statutory functions are to:

provide advice to the Minister of Health on ethical issues of national significance in respect of any health and disability matters (including research and health services)
determine nationally consistent ethical standards across the health and disability sector and provide scrutiny for national health research and health services.

As part of its functions the National Ethics Advisory Committee is also required to:

consult with any members of the public, persons involved in the funding or provision of services, and other persons that the committee considers appropriate before providing advice on an issue (section 16(4) refers)
at least annually, deliver to the Minister of Health a report setting out its activities and summarising its advice on the matters referred to it under section 16 of the Act by the Minister of Health
provide timely and sound advice to the Minister of Health on the membership and operation of its Sub-Committee on Appeals, including advice on those member categories that cannot be filled from the National Ethics Advisory Committee’s membership, and will therefore require a wider nominations process. The National Ethics Advisory Committee may make nominations as part of this wider process.

In undertaking its functions, the National Ethics Advisory Committee is expected to:

provide advice on priority issues of national significance as requested by the Minister of Health
provide advice to the Minister of Health regarding ethical issues concerning emerging areas of health research and innovative practice. The advice is to include the National Ethics Advisory Committee's rationale for its advice and any relevant evidence and/or documentation
provide advice to the Minister of Health regarding aspects of ethical review in New Zealand, including the setting of principles and guidelines in relation to each of the different types of health research and innovative practice. The advice is to include the National Ethics Advisory Committee's rationale for its advice and any relevant evidence and/or documentation
develop and promote national ethical guidelines for health research and health and disability support services (the guidelines should address how to conduct different types of health research [including ethical issues relating to Maori health research] and innovative practice in an ethical manner and should establish parameters for, and provide guidance on, the ethical review of such types of health research and health and disability support services)
monitor and review the operation of the health and disability ethics committees for the purposes of providing direction, guidance and leadership to ensure the ongoing quality and consistency of ethical review in the health and disability sector
undertake its tasks in a manner consistent with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
develop guidelines on conducting observational studies in an ethical manner and establish parameters for the ethical review of observational studies (including guidance regarding weighing up the harms and benefits of this type of research).

Composition
The National Ethics Advisory Committee shall consist of not more than 12 members appointed by the Minister of Health. The Committee's membership shall include:

two health professionals (one of whom must be a registered medical practitioner)
two health researchers (one of whom should have knowledge and expertise of qualitative research and one of whom should have knowledge and expertise of quantitative research.)
one epidemiologist
three other members (must not be a health professional or health researcher. One of whom must be a lawyer and one who must be an ethicist. Includes persons with a knowledge and understanding of the ethics of health research and the provision of health care, and academic staff.)
three community/consumer representatives (must not be health professionals, health researchers, or professional members).
one member nominated by the Health Research Council.

At any time, the National Ethics Advisory Committee shall have at least two Mäori members, one of whom shall be a person with Mäori research/ethics background.

The Director-General of Health will appoint an advisor to the National Ethics Advisory Committee who will be responsible for providing advice regarding government policy and the mechanics of government.

Terms of Reference
This file explains the terms and conditions of appointments to the National Ethics Advisory Committee and provides additional information about its role.

National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability Support Services Ethics - Terms of Reference (PDF, 68 KB)

Relevant Links
Here is a link to the National Ethics Advisory Committee’s website: www.neac.health.govt.nz

Contact Regarding Appointments
Statutory Bodies Appointments Team
Corporate Services Directorate
Ministry of Health
PO Box 5013
WELLINGTON

statutory_boards_committees@moh.govt.nz

Page last updated: 22 December 2008