Multicentre research ethics committees are intended to simplify the process of gaining ethical approval for large scale studies. However, for a nationwide study of sudden deaths in psychiatric inpatients we obtained ethical approval from the local multicentre committee and then had to face the “formality” of seeking approval from all 176 local research ethics committees in England and Wales. In total this involved photocopying over 60 000 sheets of paper, taking 50 hours of photocopying time, not including the period of time when the machine was out of action due to exhaustion. This also excludes the cost of other people's frustration because they could not access the photocopier. Postage and packaging cost £900. One committee asked for a £10 fee for considering the proposal.
Footnotes
We welcome articles of up to 600 words on topics such as A memorable patient, A paper that changed my practice, My most unfortunate mistake, or any other piece conveying instruction, pathos, or humour. If possible the article should be supplied on a disk. Permission is needed from the patient or a relative if an identifiable patient is referred to. We also welcome contributions for “Endpieces,” consisting of quotations of up to 80 words (but most are considerably shorter) from any source, ancient or modern, which have appealed to the reader.