NHS locally organised research scheme: regional research committees and the way they work.

Regional research committees vary so widely in size, composition, and their methods of judging proposals that the standards of adjudication may also vary. Once the research has started it tends to be poorly monitored, and comparatively little attempt is made to discover whether the inexperienced researcher's ability has been promoted. Fostering the research spirit entails more than the provision of funds, and some regional health authorities may need to establish more formal ways of supervising and evaluating the research they support.