Issued: 23 August 2002
Press Release
Consultation on possible topics for NICE work programme
The Department of Health and Welsh Assembly Government select topics for the NICE work programme, in line with the national priorities that they have established through National Service Frameworks (NSFs) and the NHS Plan.
In developing the work programme the Department of Health consults with stakeholders, including health professionals, patient groups and relevant manufacturers. Consultation on treatments for a range of conditions including asthma, cancer and heart disease began today and comments on the Department's proposals should be returned by the end of September.
The Department expects to finalise its proposals and refer the topics formally to NICE later this year. Once a topic has been referred to NICE, the Institute will publish details of how and when the topic will be considered. However until the work programme is formally referred to NICE, the Institute is unable to comment.
Ends
Notes for Editors
- The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is part of the NHS and is a special health authority. NICE provides guidance for healthcare professionals and patients and their carers that helps to inform their decisions about treatment and healthcare. For more information about NICE and its work, log on to the Institute's web site at www.nice.org.uk.
- Independent teams of 'experts', who include healthcare professionals working in the NHS and lay people who are familiar with the issues affecting patients and carers, prepare NICE guidance recommendations.
- Full details are available in the Department of Health press release ref. 2002/0360, on the DoH website , and from the DoH press office on 020 7210 5649.
