The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an independent organisation that provides national guidance and standards on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health. This role was set out in a 2004 white paper, Choosing health: making healthier choices easier, and is intended to help people to make well-informed choices about their health.
NICE guidance is produced by healthcare professionals, NHS staff, patients and carers, members of the academic world and other members of the wider healthcare and public health community. Guidance is developed for the following areas:
- Public health
Guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health for those working in the NHS, local authorities and the wider public and voluntary sector.
- Health technologies
Guidance on the use of new and existing medicines, treatments, medical technologies (including devices and diagnostics) and procedures within the NHS.
- Clinical practice
Guidance on the appropriate treatment and care within the NHS of people with specific diseases and conditions.
NICE produces these standards for patient care:
- Quality standards
These reflect the very best in high-quality patient care, to help healthcare practitioners and commissioners of care deliver excellent services.
- Quality and Outcomes Framework
NICE develops the clinical and health improvement indicators in the QOF, the Department of Health scheme that rewards GPs for how well they care for patients.
NICE also provides advice and support on putting NICE guidance and standards into practice through its implementation programme, and it collates and accredits high-quality health guidance, research and information to help health professionals deliver the best patient care through NHS Evidence.
Applying NICE guidance
NICE guidance is expected to be taken into full consideration by healthcare professionals and organisations when deciding on treatments for patients. However, it is not designed to replace the knowledge and skills of individual health professionals.
Other target audiences
NICE public health guidance helps in making evidence-based decisions. It is not only used within the NHS but also by people working in:
- local government
- education
- utilities (such as gas and water companies)
- the private sector
- the voluntary sector
- central government (by people who develop public and social policy)
Medicines and devices
NICE does not license drugs or devices. This is done by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA ensures that medicines, healthcare products and medical equipment are safe and do what they are supposed to do.
However, NICE does look at particular drugs and devices when there is confusion or uncertainty over their value or when prescribing practices vary across the country. A recommendation by NICE eliminates uncertainty and inequality in prescribing. If NICE issues national guidance, this replaces local recommendations and promotes equal access for patients across the country.
