Who we are
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) was set up in 1999 to reduce variation in the availability and quality of NHS treatments and care - the so called ‘postcode lottery'.
Our evidence-based guidance and other products help resolve uncertainty about which medicines, treatments, procedures and devices represent the best quality care and which offer the best value for money for the NHS.
We also produce public health guidance recommending best ways to encourage healthy living, promote wellbeing and prevent disease. Our public health guidance is for local authorities, the NHS and all those with a remit for improving people's health in the public, private, community and voluntary sectors.
Independent committees
Every piece of NICE guidance and every NICE quality standard is developed by an independent committee of experts including clinicians, patients, carers and health economists.
All of our guidance is considered and approved by the NICE Guidance Executive, a committee made up of NICE executive directors, guidance centre directors and the communications director, prior to publication.
Our Citizens Council, comprising 30 members of the public, provides NICE with advice that reflects the public's perspective on what are often challenging social and moral issues raised by NICE guidance.
Looking to the future
NICE is a Special Health Authority - an Arms Length Body funded by the Department of Health.
The Health and Social Care Bill of 2011 sets out plans for NICE to become a Non Departmental Public Body and for our remit to expand so that we will produce quality standards for the social care sector.
This page was last updated: 05 January 2012
