Ethics and Governance
If you are doing a service evaluation then you will need to comply with your local and/or organisational ethics and governance processes. These may vary and so it is important to ensure that you obtain the right advice and seek the right permissions. If you are unsure check with your local experts – a Research and Development lead, Clinical Governance lead, an Evaluation lead or a University Ethics department.
In contrast to research, evaluations do not need any formal ethical approval from an NHS Ethics Committee. However every evaluation should follow best practice when it comes to ethics, ensuring that adequate safeguards are put in place and that the benefits of conducting an evaluation outweigh the risks. This will involve reviewing your evaluation during its design, delivery and dissemination to ensure any ethical issues are identified and actions are put in place to address them. This will include ensuring appropriate informed consent is obtained from participants, confidentiality and anonymity are maintained and the study complies with your organisation‘s information governance and data protection policies and procedures. Particular consideration needs to made for any participants that may be considered vulnerable such as children and people who lack capacity.