8 Sources of evidence considered by the Committee

A. The assessment report for this appraisal was prepared by Southampton Health Technology Assessments Centre:

  • Colquitt Jl, Mendes D, Clegg AJ et al., Implantable cardioverter defibrillators for the treatment of arrhythmias and cardiac resynchronisation therapy for the treatment of heart failure: systematic review and economic evaluation, January 2013

B. The following organisations accepted the invitation to participate in this appraisal as consultees and commentators. They were invited to comment on the draft scope, assessment report and the appraisal consultation document (ACD). Organisations listed in I, II and III were also invited to make written submissions and have the opportunity to appeal against the final appraisal determination.

I. Manufacturers/sponsors:

  • Biotronik UK

  • Boston Scientific

  • Medtronic UK

  • Sorin Group

  • St Jude Medical UK

II. Professional/specialist and patient/carer groups:

  • Arrhythmia Alliance

  • British Association for Nursing in Cardiovascular Care

  • British Cardiovascular Society

  • British Heart Foundation

  • Heart Rhythm UK

  • Primary Care Cardiovascular Society

  • Royal College of Nursing

  • Royal College of Pathologists

  • Royal College of Physicians

  • SADS UK

III. Other consultees:

  • Department of Health

  • Welsh Assembly Government

IV. Commentator organisations (without the right of appeal):

  • Actavis UK

  • Association of British Healthcare Industries

  • Commissioning Support Appraisals Service

  • Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland

  • Healthcare Improvement Scotland

C. The following individuals were selected from clinical specialist and patient expert nominations from the consultees and commentators. They participated in the Appraisal Committee discussions and provided evidence to inform the Appraisal Committee's deliberations. They gave their expert personal view on implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronisation therapy by attending the initial Committee discussion and/or providing written evidence to the Committee. They were also invited to comment on the ACD.

  • Wendy Churchouse, BNF Arrhythmia Specialist Nurse, nominated by the Royal College of Nursing – clinical specialist

  • Dr Roy Gardner, Consultant Cardiologist, nominated by the British Society for Heart Failure – clinical specialist

  • Dr Chris Plummer, Consultant Cardiologist, nominated by Heart Rhythm UK – clinical specialist

  • Caroline Holmes, Senior Associate, Patient Services at Arrhythmia Alliance nominated by Arrhythmia Alliance – patient expert

D. Representatives from the following manufacturers/sponsors attended Committee meetings. They contributed only when asked by the Committee chair to clarify specific issues and comment on factual accuracy. They were also invited to comment on the ACD.

  • Biotronik UK

  • Boston Scientifi

  • Medtronic UK

  • Sorin Group

  • St Jude Medical UK

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)