Ref: NICE 2000/030 Issued: 24 August 2000
The facility for consultees to make an appeal is an integral part of the Institute's process for developing its guidance for the NHS.
All the nationally-based organisations involved in the appraisal process are provided with the opportunity to make an appeal based on one or more of the following grounds:
- The Institute has failed to act fairly and in accordance with the Appraisal Procedure set out in the Institute's Interim Guidance to Manufacturers and Sponsors;
- The Institute has prepared Guidance which is perverse in the light of the evidence submitted;
- The Institute has exceeded its powers.
An independent appeal panel considers the appeals and in line with the Institute's published policies we inform appellants and stakeholders of the outcome of the appeal as soon as practicably possible.
The Panel consists of 3 Non executive Directors of the Institute (who have not previously been involved in the appraisal) and two members nominated by patient organisations and the healthcare industries.
The Institute publishes the Appeal panel's decision, the details of those who appealed and the members of the panel that heard the appeal on its web site (www.nice.org.uk). These details are not made available whilst the process is ongoing.
The Institute has produced a Guidance document that is made available to all those attending an appeal. Appeals can either be upheld or rejected. If appeals are upheld, the Appraisal Committee are asked to revisit the evidence and reconsider their Appraisal Determination in light of the appeal panel's findings. If appeals are rejected the draft guidance becomes final guidance and is issued to the NHS.
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