6 Transparency
NICE is committed to making the process of developing indicators transparent to stakeholders and the public.
6.1 Observing the NICE indicator advisory committee
Committee meetings can be observed online by members of the public and press. This enables stakeholders and the public to understand how indicators are developed and how consultation comments are taken into account.
NICE publishes a notice with a draft agenda alongside a registration form on its website at least 20 working days before the meeting. Members of the public who wish to observe the meeting should return the completed registration form 10 working days before the meeting. The final meeting agenda is published on the website 5 working days before the meeting. For further details, see information for people attending a NICE committee meeting.
If an item on the agenda includes in-confidence information, either commercial or academic, it is discussed at a separate session of the meeting from which the public is excluded. The decision to hold a separate session is made by the committee chair and the responsible NICE associate director.
6.2 Access to documents
To ensure that the process is as transparent as possible, NICE makes information relevant to the development of indicators publicly available. Agendas, minutes and committee membership are published on the indicator advisory committee webpage on the NICE website.
6.3 Freedom of Information Act 2000
Nothing in this document will restrict any disclosure of information by NICE that is required by law (including, in particular but without limitation, the Freedom of Information Act 2000).