Ruth Frankish

Abstract - Information from start to finish - the contribution of the Information Professional in producing NICE technology appraisals

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) - was set up as a Special Health Authority for the NHS in England and Wales on 1 April 1999.   It is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on treatments and care, and its role is to provide patients, health professionals and the public with authoritative, robust and reliable guidance on current “best practice.”

Currently NICE produces guidance in three areas of health:

• the use of new and existing medicines and treatments within the NHS in England and Wales - technology appraisals

• the appropriate treatment and care of patients with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS in England and Wales - clinical guidelines

• whether interventional procedures used for diagnosis or treatment are safe enough and work well enough for routine use - interventional procedures

• NICE also funds four enquiries that undertake research into the way patients are treated, to identify ways of improving the quality of care (these investigations are known as Confidential Enquiries).

Technology appraisals are recommendations on the use of new and existing medicines and other treatments such as medical devices and diagnostic techniques within the NHS in England and Wales.

Purpose : This paper will report on the NICE's technology appraisal process and the role of the Information Professional in the process.

Description: Once a technology has been referred to NICE for appraisal, an independent academic centre is commissioned to prepare an independent review of the published evidence on the technology.

NICE then identifies and consults with the stakeholder organisations that will be involved such as patient/carer organisations, healthcare professional bodies, and manufacturers. The Appraisal Committee considers the assessment report and evidence (verbal and written) from stakeholders, nominated experts and patients, and a number of representative NHS organisations.

The Committee makes preliminary recommendations based on the evidence it has seen and heard. Stakeholders and individuals can comment on the Committee's preliminary views. The Committee then considers the comments that have been submitted and prepares its final recommendations and submits them to NICE.

As a part of the process, stakeholder organisations have the opportunity to appeal against the final appraisal determination. If there are no appeals, or if appeals are heard but not upheld, then the final recommendations become the guidance that is sent by NICE to the NHS. If an appeal is upheld, NICE asks the independent advisory committee to look again at the evidence and their recommendations, bearing in mind the Appeal Panel's comments.

The role of the Information Specialists at NICE is to contribute to the delivery of the appraisal programme by providing a timely, focussed, pro-active information service. This service begins prior to topics being referred to NICE for review and continues after publication of guidance.

The role of the Information Specialist in the entire appraisal process will be discussed and will cover input at the following key stages:

• topic referral

• developing the draft scope

• identification of key stakeholders

• liaising with Technology Assessment Review group

• support until publication of the Final Appraisal Determination

• timing of guidance review

This page was last updated on: 7 June, 2004