About Us 

Our Purpose

• To review and report the ethical implications of the methods and design of all research conducted at Queensway Carleton Hospital involving use of human subjects, human biological materials, patient records, and research involving use of clinical databases. This applies to materials derived from living and deceased individuals.
• To review research conducted by members of QCH staff where no external REB exists for review of that research.

Our Objectives

• To ensure compliance with the recommended guidelines of the Tri-Council Policy Statement (Inter Agency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics or PRE) on the “Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans” and the “Good Clinical Practice” of Health Canada
• To provide guidance and leadership in the application of ethical principles to the conduct of research at QCH.

Our Functions

• The QCH REB functions independently and reports all findings/activities to the MAC.
• To review the policy for approval of research and ensure compliance with that policy.
• To approve/reject or suggest amendment, to proposed research at Queensway Carleton Hospital.
• In conformity with the Tri-Council Policy Statement, the QCH REB will maintain involvement in studies over the course of their execution and require of principal investigators information regarding significant adverse events encountered during the study or any significant new information which becomes available after the initial review by the QCH REB, either of which may impinge on the ethics of continuing the study. Consequently, the QCH REB will review the new information to determine whether the protocol should be modified, discontinued, or should continue as originally approved.

Meeting Schedule

• The REB meets five times per year. Meetings are held in September, November, January, March, and May.

Terms of Reference

• REB Terms of Reference - last revised 2022

Hospital Policy Regarding Research

• Medical Affairs Policy

Forms

• Message from Chair to Research Applicants
• FORM A - Application for Study Review - last revised November 2019
• FORM B - Annual Renewal - last revised November 2019
• FORM C - Amendment Request & Deviation Reporting - last revised November 2019
• FORM D - Study Termination - last revised November 2019

Please ensure to contact lhowcroft@qch.on.ca for the latest version of the above forms, as old versions will not be accepted as part of your submission.

Fees

The fees described below will support the Queensway Carleton Hospital Research Ethics Board in fulfilling its mandate in the review and monitoring of research protocols as defined by national guidelines in the Tri-Council Policy Statement on Ethical Conduct for research involving humans.

The Research Ethics Board has implemented a $1500.00 administrative fee for all research projects submitted for review, and a $500.00 administrative fee for renewals and major amendment applications. Non-funded studies are usually exempt, and smaller studies may be waived from this REB administrative fee. Under special circumstances, the committee will consider requests for fees to be waived or reduced on an individual basis. Please provide a letter requesting fee exemption with your initial application if this is the case.

• Initial REB Review - $1500.00
• Major Amendment - $500.00
• Annual Renewal - $500.00
• Termination - $0.00 

Tri-Council Policy Statement 2022

The QCH REB strictly adheres to the guidelines as laid out in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2, 2022). 

Contact

Dr. Sameer Vakani

Chair - QCH Research Ethics Board
Queensway Carleton Hospital
3045 Baseline Road
Ottawa, ON K2H 8P4
Email: svakani@qch.on.ca

Lindsay Howcroft

Assistant - QCH Research Ethics Board 

Queensway Carleton Hospital

3045 Baseline Road

Ottawa, ON K2H 8P4

Email: lhowcroft@qch.on.ca