Ethics Committee

The Dr Foster Ethics Committee is a company limited by guarantee, which is independent of Dr Foster Intelligence.

Its role is to ensure that Dr Foster Intelligence meets the standards set out in its Code of Conduct. In the event of a complaint, the committee reviews Dr Foster Intelligence’s published material and can adjudicate in any complaints or disputes.

The current membership of the independent Dr Foster Ethics Committee is as follows:

Professor Alan Maynard (Chair)

Director, Health Policy Unit, York University, and Chair, York Health Services NHS Trust

Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen (Vice Chair)

Group Medical Director, BUPA

Dr Helena Earl

Consultant Oncologist, Addenbrooke’s NHS Trust

Dr Ian Lane

Medical Director and Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust

Professor Barry McCormick (Observer)

Chief Economic Adviser at the Department of Health

Bernadette Porter

Nurse Consultant multiple sclerosis, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery Therapy and Rehabilitation Services

Dame Jane Roberts

Consultant Child Psychiatrist and Director of Quality and Performance of Islington PCT

Helen Scott

Nursing Editor/Staff Nurse, St Christopher’s Hospice, London

Sir Nick Partridge

Chief Executive, Terrence Higgins Trust

Dr Patricia Wilkie

Social Scientist, Patient Advocate and President of the National Association for Patient Participation

Ethics Committee Rulings

In May 2010 the Ethics Committee received a complaint from an NHS Hospital Trust alleging the reporting of their Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio (HSMR) was inaccurate. Full Article

The Committee announced its findings, following a complaint concerning the “Understanding the Health Needs of Waltham Forest’s Neighbourhood Management Areas” report. View Full Text

Read the Dr Foster Intelligence response to the findings.

In January 2010 the Ethics Committee received a complaint from two members of the public under section 3a of the code of conduct. Full Article

Contacting the Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee is responsible for adjudicating on complaints that have not been resolved satisfactorily by Dr Foster Intelligence. If you have a complaint about Dr Foster Intelligence, please write to:

The Secretary of the Ethics Committee
Dr Foster Ethics Committee Limited
12 Smithfield Street
London EC1A 9LA