Review of the Single and Multiple Technology Appraisal Processes

The Institute is reviewing the 'Single and Multiple Technology Appraisal Processes'. These are the guides containing all the information about how technology appraisals are conducted.

The purpose of these documents is to describe a uniform, open and transparent process by which all technology appraisals are conducted. The process is designed to achieve robust guidance for the NHS, developed in an open and transparent way that allows maximum understanding and input from stakeholders.

These guides are used in conjunction with the 'Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal'.

The review of the 'Single and Multiple Technology Appraisal Processes' will take place between April and October 2008. The resulting revised drafts will be available for a 3-month public consultation, expected to begin in November 2008. We would encourage all interested parties to take part in the consultation.

Until the updated guides are published, the current versions must be used for all ongoing appraisals.

The Institute will be holding workshops as part of the update process, seeking the views of stakeholders to help identify those parts of the guides that require updating. The outputs of the workshops will be discussed at meetings of the Working Party, the group responsible for preparing the draft updates of the process guides.