NICE 2002/064
Issued: 5 December 2002

NICE welcomes changes to topic selection process

The Department of Health has announced changes to the way in which the Department of Health and the National Assembly for Wales select technology appraisal and clinical guideline topics for referral to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Andrew Dillon, NICE Chief Executive, comments: "NICE welcomes these changes to the way topics are selected for our work programme. We are delighted that the new process will apply to both technology appraisal and clinical guideline topics to ensure a coherent approach to our work programme. This approach will benefit both those proposing topics, and the patients, carers and healthcare professionals who are increasingly looking to our guidance when making decisions about treatment and healthcare."

"We have lobbied hard for our work programme to be constructed in a more open and inclusive manner, and in particular to offer more opportunities for NHS staff - who are often the best judges of where the need for guidance is greatest - to propose topics. We are pleased to see that these proposals have been taken on board."


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For more information call Louise Fish on 0778 639 0101.

Notes for Editors

1. NICE is part of the NHS. It is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on treatments and care for those using the NHS in England and Wales. Its guidance is for healthcare professionals and patients and their carers to help them make decisions about treatment and healthcare. For further information about NICE you can visit www.nice.org.uk.

2. NICE produces guidance in three areas of health:

  • the use of new and existing medicines and treatments within the NHS in England and Wales - technology appraisals
  • the appropriate treatment and care of patients with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS in England and Wales - clinical guidelines.
  • whether interventional procedures used for diagnosis or treatment are safe enough and work well enough for routine use- interventional procedures.

    NICE also funds four enquiries that undertake research into the way patients are treated to identify ways of improving the quality of care (the investigations are known as confidential enquiries).

    3. Topics are referred to NICE by the Secretary of State for Health and the Welsh Assembly Government, in line with the national priorities they have established for the NHS. Once a topic has been referred, the development of the subsequent advice is entirely the responsibility of NICE.

    4. NICE guidance and recommendations are prepared by independent groups that include professionals working in the NHS and people who are familiar with the issues affecting patients and carers.