These are the main stages in the single technology appraisal (STA) process.

Timings are approximate. For a full description of the appraisal process, please see our Health Technology Evaluation manual.

Topics are referred to us by ministers following the topic selection process.

We started using this process in April 2018.

Timeline

  • wk0

    Development starts

    We invite relevant stakeholders to take part in the appraisal.

    All non-company consultees have 8 weeks to submit a statement on the potential clinical and cost effectiveness of a treatment.

    Find out more about consultee submissions

     

    Organisations can apply to become a consultee or commentator at any point of the process.

  • wk0

    Request for evidence

    We ask the intervention technology company to produce a submission of all relevant evidence - published and unpublished - for the appraisal.

    They have 8 weeks to produce the company submission.

    Find out more about evidence submissions

  • wk0

    Information added to the NICE website

    We add the remit, scope and a list of stakeholders to the website.

    The remit is the brief for the appraisal. The scope sets out what the technology appraisal will cover and the questions that need to be addressed.

  • wk3

    Request for clinical, commissioning and patient experts 

    We ask the stakeholders to send in their nominations. The NICE team and the chair of the appraisal committee selects experts from those nominated.

    Experts can submit statements and attend the appraisal committee meeting to present their views.

  • wk4

    Expert invitations

    We invite the selected clinical, commissioning and patient experts to attend the appraisal committee. We ask them to submit a statement on the technology and how it should be used in the NHS in England.

  • wk8

    Deadline for evidence submissions

  • wk9

    Evidence review begins

    An independent academic centre (called the Evidence Review Group) critiques the company's evidence submission and prepares a report on the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of the technology. This is called the ERG report.

  • wk10

    Request for clarification sent to company

    If the evidence submission is incomplete, we consult with the Evidence Review Group and send a letter of clarification to the company.

    The company has 10 working days to respond.

  • wk12

    Deadline for receipt of the expert statements

  • wk16

    Evidence report (ERG) received by NICE

  • wk16

    ERG report sent to company for information

  • wk20

    Draft technical report sent to stakeholders for technical engagement

    Consultees and commentators and experts can share their views on the technical report.

    The technical report is produced by the technical team at NICE. It is based on initial consideration of:

    • the company submission
    • the ERG report
    • consultee and commentator and expert statements
    • discussions with the company or experts about the appraisal.

    Stakeholders have 20 working days to submit comments.

  • wk28

    Documents sent to the appraisal committee

    The appraisal committee is an independent advisory committee that makes the recommendations.

    We send attendees:

    • the ERG report and any comments
    • the company submission
    • written submissions from non-company consultees
    • personal statements from patient, clinical and commissioning experts
    • the final scope of the appraisal and the list of stakeholders
    • technical report
    • comments received during technical engagement.

    We don’t send the papers to any members of the public who have registered to attend the meeting.

  • wk30

    Appraisal committee meet to consider the evidence

    We hold an appraisal committee meeting to consider the committee papers and hear from nominated clinical, patient and NHS commissioning experts.

    The committee decides whether to produce final recommendations, known as a final appraisal document (FAD) or draft recommendations known as an appraisal consultation document (ACD).

    The FAD is the final draft of the guidance and not open to comment (see week 35).

    If an ACD is needed we send the document out for comment (see week 33).

    We only produce an ACD when the recommendations from the appraisal committee don’t recommend use of the technology, or limit the use of the technology beyond the specifications in the marketing authorisation.

    Part 1 of this meeting is open to members of the public and press.

    Register to attend a meeting

    For non-cancer topics, the committee meeting cannot go ahead until the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) opinion is published.

If a final appraisal document (FAD) is produced

  • wk35

    FAD and supporting documents sent out to stakeholders

    Consultees have 15 days to appeal against the final recommendations in the FAD.

    Find out more about the appeals process

  • wk36

    FAD published

    We publish the FAD and supporting documents on our website for information.
  • wk38

    Close of appeal period

    If no appeals have been received, the guidance is prepared for publication. If appeals have been received, the appeals process is followed.

  • wk40

    Technology appraisal published

    If there are no appeals we issue the final recommendations as NICE guidance.

    We publish the technology appraisal on the NICE website and incorporate it into NICE Pathways. Registered stakeholders are notified by email.

    When the guidance is published we give a date for it to be reviewed. This is when we consult with relevant organisations about whether the guidance needs to be updated.

    Find out more about the review process

    This is the earliest possible point that final guidance can be issued.

If an appraisal consultation document (ACD) is produced

  • wk33

    ACD and supporting documents sent out for comment

    Stakeholders have 20 working days to submit comments on the draft recommendations.

     
  • wk34

    Public consultation on the ACD

    The ACD and supporting documents are published on the website for comment. The consultation is open for 15 working days.

    Anyone can submit comments during the consultation.

    View current consultations

     
  • wk38

    Consultation on the ACD ends

  • wk39

    Appraisal committee meet to develop the FAD

    The appraisal committee considers the comments received on the ACD, then makes its final recommendations on how the technology should be used in the NHS in England. This is the FAD.

     

    Part 1 of the meeting is open to members of the public and press.

    Register to attend a meeting

  • wk44

    FAD and supporting documents sent to stakeholders

    Consultees have 15 working days to appeal against the final recommendations in the FAD.

    Find out more about the appeals process

     
  • wk45

    FAD published

    We publish the FAD and supporting documents on our website for information.

  • wk47

    Close of appeal period

    If no appeals have been received, the guidance is prepared for publication. If appeals have been received, the appeals process is followed.

  • wk49

    Technology appraisal published

    If there are no appeals we issue the final recommendations as NICE guidance.

    We publish the technology appraisal on the NICE website. Registered stakeholders are notified by email.

    When the guidance is published we give a date for it to be reviewed. This is when we consult with relevant organisations about whether the guidance needs to be updated.

    Find out more about the review process