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:

Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen, Chairman

Former Group Medical Director, BUPA

Professor Alan Maynard

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

Ms Helen Scott

Nurse at St Christopher’s Hospice, Freelance Journalist, former Editor, The British Journal of Nursing

Dr Helena Earl

Consultant Oncologist, Addenbrooke’s NHS Trust

Mr Ian Lane DM FRCS

Former Medical Director, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust

Dame Jane Roberts

Director for Quality and Performance, Islington PCT

Dr Patricia Wilkie

Consumer advocate with a scientific background

Joanne Shaw

Chair, NHS Direct, Chairman Datapharm Communications

Professor Nigel Sparrow FRCP, FRCGP, FAcadMEd

Chair of the Professional Development Board, Royal College of General Practitioners

Dr James Kingsland OBE

Senior Partner in a Personal Medical Services Partnership in Wallasey, National Clinical Commissioning Network Lead for England

Observer: Professor Barry McCormick

Department of Health

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