Developing NICE public health guidance

This is a brief summary of the process NICE uses to develop public health intervention guidance and programme guidance.

See all public health intervention guidance in development and public health programme guidance in development.

Public health intervention guidance

1. Topic selected
   The intervention topic is referred to NICE by the Department of Health.
2. Stakeholders register interest
   Potential stakeholders are asked to register an interest. Stakeholders may include national organisations representing professionals, research and academic institutions, industry and special interest groups from the general public. Stakeholders are consulted throughout the guidance development process.
3. Scope prepared
   The scope sets out what the guidance will - and will not - cover, and outlines the review process. After a consultation period the scope is finalised.
4. Evidence reviewed
   An synopsis is prepared, with an evidence review and economic appraisal of the intervention.The evidence review may be done by NICE or by a contracted research body. Stakeholders comment on the synopsis.
5. Draft intervention guidance prepared
   The Public Health Interventions Advisory Committee (PHIAC) reviews the synopsis and produces draft intervention guidance. Read more about PHIAC.
6. Consultation on the draft guidance
   There is a one month consultation period on the draft guidance.
7. Fieldwork carried out
   The draft guidance is also field tested. A series of fieldwork meetings are held with practitioners not previously involved in developing the guidance. The meeting reports are combined into a technical report, which is submitted to PHIAC.
8. Final guidance produced
   PHIAC reviews the technical report and comments from the consultation, and produces the final guidance.
9. Guidance issued
   After peer review, NICE formally approves the final guidance and issues it to the NHS.

Public health programme guidance

1. Topic selected
   The programme guidance topic is referred to NICE by the Department of Health.
2. Stakeholders register interest
   Potential stakeholders are asked to register an interest. Stakeholders may include national organisations representing professionals, research and academic institutions, industry and special interest groups from the general public. Stakeholders are consulted throughout the guidance development process.
3. Programme development group established
   A programme development group (PDG), made up of members selected for their expertise in the field is established. Read more about programme development groups.
4. Scope prepared
   The scope sets out what the guidance will - and will not - cover, and outlines the review process. After a consultation period the scope is finalised.
5. Evidence reviewed
   An evidence review and economic appraisal of the programme is carried out. The evidence review may be done by NICE or by a contracted research body. Stakeholders comment on the synopsis.
6. Draft programme guidance prepared
   The PDG reviews the synopsis and produces draft programme guidance.
7. Consultation on the draft guidance
   There is a one month consultation period on the draft guidance.
8. Fieldwork carried out
   The draft guidance is also field tested. A series of fieldwork meetings are held with practitioners not previously involved in developing the guidance. The meeting reports are combined into a technical report, which is submitted to the PDG.
9. Final guidance produced
   The PDG reviews the technical report and comments from the consultation and produces the final guidance.
10. Guidance issued
    After peer review, NICE formally approves the final guidance and issues it to the NHS.

Further information