Tools and resources

Developing NICE guidelines: how to get involved: Fully accessible text-only version

Advising and commenting on a draft scope

Advising and commenting on a draft scope

The scope explains what the guideline will and will not cover.

We sometimes invite registered stakeholders to a workshop to advise us on key issues for the guideline. We usually invite each organisation to nominate 1 person to attend the workshop, so that we can hear views from a wide range of organisations. After the workshop, the draft scope is finalised and put on our website for consultation (usually 4 weeks).

We email registered stakeholders to invite them to comment. We include information and questions to help us find out what stakeholders think about specific issues. See box 1 on 'things to think about' for tips on what to comment on.

Consultation dates are given on the NICE website and you can sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Box 1 Commenting on the draft scope: things to think about

Does the scope:

  • Cover issues important for people affected by the guideline?

  • Include medicines, procedures and other treatments or options for care that may be important?

  • Include treatments or other interventions that are currently used, but may not be effective, acceptable or tolerable to people using services?

  • Note any equality issues or aspects of care or services that the guideline should address (for example, cultural differences that may affect the use of an intervention or approach to care)?

  • Promote equality of opportunity regardless of age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, religion and belief, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status?

  • Unfairly exclude any groups (for example, by age or general health)?

  • Use wording that is respectful of people using services, carers and people working in health or social care?

  • Explain how the guideline will fit with government policies?

  • Identify other major related projects (such as promotional campaigns) that should be used when developing the guideline?

Make your comments as clear and specific as possible, explaining the reasons behind any changes you suggest.


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