National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Logo of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom. It was established in 1999 to reduce variation in the availability and quality of NHS treatments and care. NICE provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.

History

NICE was established in 1999 as the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. It was created to address the so-called "postcode lottery" in the availability of medical treatments across the UK. In 2005, it merged with the Health Development Agency to become the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. In 2013, it was renamed the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, reflecting its expanded role in social care.

Functions

NICE's primary role is to improve outcomes for people using the NHS and other public health and social care services. It does this by:

• Producing evidence-based guidance and advice for health, public health, and social care practitioners.
• Developing quality standards and performance metrics for those providing and commissioning health, public health, and social care services.
• Providing a range of information services for commissioners, practitioners, and managers across the spectrum of health and social care.

Guidance

NICE guidance is developed by independent committees, including professionals and lay members, and is based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence. The guidance covers:

• Technology appraisals: Recommendations on the use of new and existing medicines and treatments within the NHS.
• Clinical guidelines: Recommendations on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions.
• Public health: Guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health.
• Social care: Guidance to improve the quality of social care services.

Impact

NICE guidance is used by the NHS, local authorities, employers, voluntary groups, and anyone else involved in delivering care or promoting wellbeing. It aims to ensure that people have access to the most effective treatments and care, based on the best available evidence.

Criticism and Controversy

NICE has faced criticism over the years, particularly regarding its decisions on the cost-effectiveness of certain treatments. Some argue that its decisions can lead to delays in the availability of new treatments. However, NICE maintains that its rigorous evaluation process ensures that resources are used effectively to benefit the greatest number of people.

Related pages

• Department of Health and Social Care
• National Health Service
• Public health
• Social care in the United Kingdom

NICE's role in evidence-informed health policy

External links

• Official NICE website