The West of Scotland Research Ethics Service was established on 2nd April, 2009. The service consists of a Central Office based in the Tennent Institute, Western Infirmary, Glasgow. 

The Central Office manages the 5 RECs (Research Ethics Committees) which form the West of Scotland Research Ethics Service. Submissions for review are received from a wide area of the West of Scotland and incorporate submissions from Dumfries & Galloway Health Board, Ayrshire & Arran Health Board, Lanarkshire Health Boards, Golden Jubilee National Hospital and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. As part of the National Research Ethics Service applications from across the UK can be reviewed 

Dr Judith Godden took up the post of Scientific Officer and Manager of the Service in March 2009.

The Central Office is manned by 4 Research Ethics Co-ordinators and 3 Administrative assistants who cover all the administrative duties for the 5 RECs in the Service (4 meeting in the Glasgow area and one meeting in Lanarkshire). 

A list of the contact details for the REC administrative staff and the meeting and submission dates can be found here  

The RECs within WoSRES are part of a national ethics system NRES (National Research Ethics Service) who in turn form part of the National Patient Safety Agency. 

Scottish NHS RECs are governed by their respective Health Boards. The Health Boards through Governance Arrangements for Research Ethics Committees (GAfREC) and the RECs themselves through the national SOPs comply with policy guidance issued and/or approved by the Chief Scientist Office. 

In the case of Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products (CTIMPs) RECs operate within agreed standards determined by the UK Health Departments (UKECA) under Statute. The CSO has a representative sitting on UKECA and provides funding for the provision of ethics services on their behalf.