Membership and Terms of Reference

Role
The Mental Health Research and Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring that Melbourne Health and the researchers who work under the auspices of NorthWestern Mental Health, fulfil their ethical and legal responsibilities for the people who volunteer to take part in research, in accordance with the NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). These responsibilities reflect the core ethical values of respect for human beings, research merit and integrity, justice and beneficence.

Membership

Chairperson
Dr. Tom Peyton

Lay People
Dr. Elizabeth Pittman
Ms. Suzanne Jotwani
Dr. Terry Grigg
Dr. Alexander Wood

Members with Knowledge of and Current Experience in Care, Counselling or Treatment of People
A/Prof. Nick Allen
A/Prof. John Gleeson
Dr. Dan Lubman
Ms. Sue Melbourne
Dr. Katinka Morton

Members with Current Research Experience Relevant to Research Proposals Considered at Meetings
Prof. Terence McCann
Dr. Stephen Wood
Dr. Murat Yucel
Dr. Leanne Hides
Dr. Sue Cotton
Dr. Alex Holmes
Dr. Ramon Mocellin

Members who Perform a Pastoral Care Role in the Community
Rev. Barbara Colliver
Rev. Bill Beagley

Members who are Lawyers
Mr. Michael Sweeney
Mr. Howard Mason

Manager MHREC
Ms. Michelle Clemson

Quorum
A quorum shall consist of eight members. The decision as to whether there is appropriate representation of members present at any particular meeting will be made by those present at the meeting. Generally however, a quorum shall consist of:

1. A chairperson, with suitable experience, whose other responsibilities will not impair the HREC’s capacity to carry out its obligations under NHMRC National Statement of Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007);
2. At least two lay people, one man and one woman, who have no affiliation with the institution and do not currently engage in medical, scientific, legal or academic work;
3. At least one person with knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care, counselling or treatment of people; for example a nurse or allied health professional;
4. At least one person who performs a pastoral care role in a community, for example, an Aboriginal elder, a minister of religion;
5. At least one lawyer, where possible one who is not engaged to advise the institution; and
6. At least two people with current research experience that is relevant to research proposals to be considered at the meetings they attend.

Responsibilities

• To receive and consider for approval research projects involving humans undertaken in the fields of behavioural, psychosocial, psychological and psychiatric research by staff of Melbourne or Western Health and other affiliated personnel within Melbourne or Western Health, including associated University of Melbourne Departments, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and the Howard Florey Institute as necessary; or involving patients of Melbourne or Western Health, and also to consider such projects on behalf of other institutions without their own human research ethics committee. The Committee will review both the scientific and ethical aspects of research projects.
• To consider and advise the Board of Melbourne Health on all ethical matters arising from research activity which require determination. The Committee shall have particular regard to the importance of obtaining informed consent of patients and volunteers and to the maintenance of the best interests of research participants.
• To comply with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) and all other applicable guidelines and legislation.  
• To advise the Board of Melbourne Health as required, on matters concerning medical research.
• To consult experts in any field when the Human Research Ethics Committee considers such action appropriate.
• To ensure the requirements of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing are met in the use of any imported therapeutic agents.
• To provide advice and advocacy to students and members of staff on current or proposed projects and to encourage research in areas where it considers appropriate.
• To consider questions of medical ethics in research without suppressing the natural urge for knowledge amongst members of staff, to act as a method of control on projects which are not properly planned and which cannot be expected to come to fruition.
• To ensure that research projects are adequately funded to ensure they can achieve their aims and be completed as proposed and that Melbourne Health is appropriately reimbursed for services to research. 
• To fulfil, as requested or necessary, any or all of the above terms of reference on behalf of the Board of Melbourne Health.

Reporting

• The Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Melbourne Health.
• The Committee shall provide monthly reports to the Chief Executive and Board of Melbourne Health.

Delegation of Authority

Consistent with Melbourne Health’s policies on the establishment of advisory committees in expert areas, the Committee will carry out the function set out through its meetings and the decisions arising there from.

In the area of decision-making that is within Melbourne Health’s determined policy, the appropriate executive officer of the Committee will normally take any necessary executive action within his/her area of delegated responsibility having regard to advice from the Committee.

In performing its function the Committee will be free to make whatever enquiries it considers necessary to give effect to its terms of reference.

Meeting Frequency
The Committee will meet monthly.