An audit tool produced by the Multiple Sclerosis Society is just one example of the way patient, carer and voluntary organisations (and individuals) are actively promoting and supporting implementation of NICE guidance in the NHS. Based on the ‘Long-term (neurological) conditions national service framework’, the tool was developed to support the Institute’s clinical guideline for the care of people with MS.

The Patient and Public Involvement Programme (PPIP) at NICE has collated some of these examples of good practice in the form of an Excel spreadsheet, which was introduced in March to coincide with the re-launch of the audit tool.

Other examples include:

  • awareness-raising campaigns (for example, Breakthrough Breast Cancer is campaigning for women to have faster access to genetic screening results following publication of the familial breast cancer guideline)
  • promotional activities at national conferences (for example, the Parkinson’s Disease Society promoted NICE’s guideline on Parkinson’s disease at its 2007 national conference)
  • production of leaflets and posters (for example, OCD Action has produced material to support the obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) guideline)
  • surveys and audits (for example, local patient and public involvement forums in Rugby and the East Midlands carried out surveys on depression and OCD services respectively, following publication of NICE guidance on these topics)
  • NHS funding (for example, Macmillan Cancer Support has funded nurses specialising in head and neck cancers following publication of the head and neck cancer service guidance)
  • training and support for health professionals (for example, beat – formerly the Eating Disorders Association – runs seminars for primary care staff on how to treat eating disorders, following publication of the eating disorders guideline).

The aim of the spreadsheet (which is also available in print) is to promote these activities and to inspire others. It can be sorted by date, guideline, type of initiative and organisation and includes:

  • a description of both the implementation support provided and the activity itself
  • details of any joint working – with NICE, the royal colleges or the national collaborating centres
  • contact details including relevant website addresses.

The spreadsheet will be updated regularly. Please contact the Patient and Public Involvement Programme if you know about any other initiatives that could be included.

Read more about how local groups can help support implementation of NICE guidance.