Modular updates
A modular update is a review of the methods and/or processes that inform our guidance, that may result in an update to our manuals.
Our modular updates framework ensures consistency in updating our manuals and helps prioritise important updates. It also allows for suggestions from external stakeholders in identifying the candidates for modular updates. This ensures that the manuals continue to meet our users' needs.
How do we choose and prioritise updates?
There are 3 main ways to determine and prioritise the need for modular updates:
updates needed to deliver business priorities
updates needed to reflect changes to how NICE operates
updates selected from suggestions by internal and external stakeholders.
A public board paper (Word), developed and reviewed by a cross-NICE working group, sets out how we will:
identify and prioritise modular updates to the manuals
review the evidence and propose changes to the manuals
engage and consult with stakeholders
implement the modular updates.
NICE is responsible for the final decision, when selecting which methods and process areas are suitable for a modular update.
The process
How you can suggest a modular update
An online form will be made available for stakeholders to submit candidates for modular updates for 2 months each year (typically during June and July). When available, the form will collect the following information:
respondent details (name, organisation, email, role)
stakeholder group that the respondent represents (e.g. health care professional, academia)
manual to be updated and any relevant sections, if known
brief description of issue
links with, or funding from, the tobacco industry
supporting information.
Shortlisting and prioritisation of suggested modular updates 2024 to 2025
42 suggestions for modular updates were received from a range of stakeholders. Suggestions relating to the same topic were combined, leaving a total of 17 unique suggestions. 2 modular updates were selected in the 2024 to 2025 modular updates round.
The selected modular updates are:
EQ-5D-5L value set
surrogate endpoints.
While work on these modular updates will begin in 2025 to 2026, the EQ-5D-5L value set update in particular is anticipated to take longer than a year to complete.
Decisions for each of the 17 unique suggestions for modular updates are outlined in the summary of decisions table. Further information is available in the minutes of meetings of a standing committee responsible for overseeing modular updates (Word).
Title | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
Health inequalities | This methods update will provide guidance on how to incorporate health inequalities considerations in technology evaluations. It will focus on methods for measuring health inequalities, considering quantitative evidence of how health interventions affect these inequalities, and how best to use this evidence in decision-making. | Complete – updated health technology evaluations manual published in May 2025 |
HealthTech programme process update 1 | This update will set out a unified process for NICE's HealthTech teams (formerly DAP, MTEP, IP) and clarify this for external stakeholders. This update will also provide updated methods guidance for Early Valuation Assessments (EVAs). | Post-consultation updates and sign-off. Consultation for this update is now closed and the wording for the update is being finalised. |
HealthTech programme process update 2 | This update will provide further clarification and update to methods used for NICE HealthTech guidance. | Draft recommendation. Consultation for this update is currently estimated to take place in 2025. |
EQ-5D-5L value set | This update will enable the adoption of the value set from the new UK valuation study for the EQ-5D-5L into NICE’s reference case. | This update was prioritised in February 2025. The EQ-5D-5L value set scoping document (Word) is available to download. |
Surrogate endpoints | This update will provide updated guidance on how surrogate endpoints can be used in cost-effectiveness modelling. | This update was prioritised in February 2025. Work on this modular update has been paused to redirect resources to other methods priority projects. |
Key documents
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