NICE Health Technology Assessment training programme

• Identify which Technology Appraisal Committee (TAC) meetings you wish to attend ahead of the debrief session. The committee meetings usually run all day 9am to 4pm and usually include 2 or 3 topics for committee to discuss, each lasting 2 to 2.5 hours.

• View Technology appraisal committee meetings.

• Identify a suitable TAC meeting date.

• Pre-register as a Public Observer 2 to 4 weeks ahead of the TAC meetings. Continue to check to see if the meeting has opened for registration.

• It is important to register as soon as possible. Registration closes a week ahead of the TAC meeting and places are not guaranteed.

• To register for a TAC meeting:

  • Scroll down to the Technology Appraisal Committee (TAC) meetings section. Click the ‘Scheduled Meetings’ tab to open the list of meeting dates.

  • Click the ‘View details’ link for the TAC meeting you wish to register for. Read the ‘Important information on how to register.’ Please note: you will need to register for each topic on your chosen date separately.

  • Further down it will say if registration is open. If it is, then click on the relevant ‘register here for topic’ link and complete the Zoom registration form. If registration is not yet open, please check back regularly.

  • As you are registering directly on Zoom, your place is guaranteed. You will not receive a confirmation or approval email. You will receive your Zoom joining links and further instructions 1 to 2 days before the meeting.

2. Undertake the pre-reading ahead of the TAC meeting

• Please read the What we do section of the NICE website for technology appraisals.

• Guide to health technology evaluations. This describes the methods and processes that we follow when carrying out health technology evaluations.

3. Confirm attendance at the debrief session 

Approximately 4 to 6 weeks ahead of the debrief session you will receive an invitation email. This will contain the time and date of the debrief session and a meeting attendance link. Please use the link to confirm your wish to attend as soon as possible. Places are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Please only apply if you are sure that you can attend the debrief session and have already attended (or will shortly attend) the technology appraisal committee meeting. If you confirm your attendance and then fail to attend the debrief session (without notifying us in advance), we will not be able to offer you a place again in the future. 

4. Attend the debrief session  

Please ensure that you have attended the technology appraisal committee meeting prior to the debrief session. Prepare any questions you may have (after attending the TAC meeting) in advance of the session. 

5. Complete the brief evaluation form  

Once you have completed the evaluation form you will receive a digital certificate of programme completion. This can then be uploaded to your portfolio as evidence for KA7.5. 

If you were unsuccessful in securing one of the debrief session places, there are several further options to consider:

• register for the next debrief session, and/or
• wait to be contacted in cases of cancellation (we will contact the next person on the application list)
• undertake a self-directed training option.

You may wish to undertake a self-directed route to generate evidence to achieve KA7.5.

This is in line with the FPH curriculum example for KA7.5: 'Observes and reflects upon a drug and technology approval process.'

This option can be undertaken individually, but in a group may provide a better learning experience:

• Identify a group of colleagues wishing to undertake the same route option - so that you can work together to reflect on the TAC meeting.
• Register as a Public Observer for a TAC meeting.
• Undertake the pre-reading ahead of the TAC meeting.
• Attend the TAC meeting and make notes on your observations.
• Meet as a group of colleagues (once all have attended a TAC meeting) to reflect on the technology approval process.

Before following this self-directed route, please speak to your educational supervisor to identify exactly what evidence you will require to meet this competency.

As soon as you become aware that you are unable to attend, please cancel your registration through the link contained within the registration confirmation email. If you cannot find this, please contact training@nice.org.uk to let us know. We can then offer your place to the next person on the waiting list. You will then need to register for another debrief session or undertake the self-directed training option.