NICE recognises that there is an urgent need in the NHS and wider public health community for guidance on the prevention and treatment of obesity, and in view of this need we are hoping to bring forward the publication date for NICE guidance on obesity to November 2006 instead of February 2007.

The NICE Board is discussing proposals for faster development of clinical guidelines at its next meeting on Wednesday 15 March. If approved, these proposals will enable us to bring forward the publication date for our guidance on obesity. The proposals can be found on the website here

In order to make the guidance development process as simple as possible for stakeholders to engage with, we have decided that consultation on the obesity guidance will begin immediately after the Board meeting on Thursday 16 March. This means that - subject to the Board's approval - we will be able to develop the guidance to a clear timetable that will enable NICE to issue guidance at the earliest possible opportunity.

Consultation documents, together with a clear timetable, will be sent to all registered stakeholder organisations on Thursday 16 March and will be made available on the website. For further informaiton please contact the NICE communications team on 020 7067 5900.