Developing NICE clinical guidelines

This is a brief summary of how NICE develops clinical guidelines.
See all clinical guidelines currently in development.

1. Guideline topic is referred.
   The Department of Health refers clinical guideline topics to NICE.
   Read more about how guidance topics are chosen
.
2. Stakeholders register interest.
   National organisations representing patients and carers, and also health professionals involved in their care can register as stakeholders. Stakeholders are consulted throughout the guideline development process.
   Read more about stakeholder registration
.
3. Scope prepared.
   The National Collaborating Centre (NCC) commissioned to develop the guideline prepares the scope. This document sets out what the guideline will – and will not – cover. NICE, registered stakeholders and an independent guideline review panel can all contribute to the development of the scope.
   Read more about our National Collaborating Centres.
4. Guideline development group established.
   This group is made up of health professionals, representatives of patient and carer groups and technical experts.
   Read more about guideline development groups.
5. Draft guideline produced.
   To produce the draft guideline, the group assesses the available evidence and makes recommendations.
6. Consultation on the draft guideline.
   There is at least one public consultation period for registered stakeholders to comment on the draft guideline. An independent guideline review panel reviews the guideline to check that stakeholder comments have been taken into account.
   Read more about guideline review panels.
7. Final guideline produced.
   After the guideline development group finalises the recommendations, the collaborating centre produces the final guideline.
8. Guidance issued.
   NICE formally approves the final guideline and issues its guidance to the NHS.

Short guideline process

Short clinical guidelines are designed specifically to address clinical questions which do not meet the topic selection criteria for a traditional clinical guideline or technology appraisal, but nevertheless require guidance to be produced by the Institute.

Short clinical guidelines are developed to the same rigorous methods as existing clinical guidelines but they are produced within a shorter 9 -11 month timescale. The criteria for their referral to NICE are the same as for topics selected for the main clinical guidelines programme, with an additional judgement about the urgency of the advice.

Further information