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Office for Research Ethics Committees (NI)

Mission Statement

To maintain a Research Ethics Service to protect the rights, dignity and welfare of research participants within the HSC System/NHS, and to protect the rights of researchers to perform ethical research and legitimate investigation.

  • To support the HSC RECs and link with the Health Research Authority (HRA) in England, the Scottish and Welsh Research Ethics Services
  • Ensure the HSC RECS comply with governance arrangements as set out in the UK Governance Arrangements for Research Ethics Committees (GAfREC) 2020 and the UK Clinical Trials Regulation (2004).
  • Provide training and administrative support to the Health and Social Care Research Ethics Committees (HSC RECs)
  • Ensure all stakeholders understand arrangements
  • Develop and maintain effective working arrangements with other research governance stakeholders in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

NOTE: Staff are currently hybrid working in the office and from home. The HSC REC meetings are being held by videoconference, where researchers attend meetings by videoconference platforms or by phone. 

  • Contact Us

    Office for Research Ethics Committees Northern Ireland (ORECNI)

    Business Services Organisation
    Unit 4, Lissue Industrial Estate West
    Rathdown Walk
    Moira Road
    Lisburn

    BT28 2RF (use google maps)

    General ORECNI Tel: 028 9536 1400

    Email: info.orecni@hscni.net

    Hours of Operation:

    Monday – Thursday: 9am – 5pm

    Friday – 9am – 4pm

  • How to Find Us

    Office for Research Ethics Committees Northern Ireland (ORECNI)

    Business Services Organisation
    Unit 4, Lissue Industrial Estate West
    Rathdown Walk
    Moira Road
    Lisburn

    BT28 2RF (use google maps)

    Lissue Industrial Estate West is approximately 2 miles west of Lisburn on the Moira Road.

    Important NB: Please use Google Maps and enter ORECNI for directions. We are based behind ‘Warmflow’ off Rathdown Road on Rathdown Walk.

    Click here for map and directions.

    Please note: There are limited parking spaces.