NICE

A 9-week public consultation on the interim methods and processes for including NICE technology appraisals in NICE Guidelines was held between 5 February and 5 April 2024.

Engagement events were held ahead of the consultation, to inform stakeholders of the proposed approach and the consultation document. A webinar was held for external stakeholders: attendees included representatives from the voluntary and community sector; professional and industry membership organisations; topic-specific advisory groups, boards and forums; local, regional and national government bodies; public health, health and social care partners; academia and other arms-length bodies.

The consultation comprised of 2 documents:

• NICE's interim methods and processes for including NICE technology appraisal recommendations in guidelines, and

• Equalities and Health Inequality assessment (EHIA) for methods and process changes.

Respondents were given the opportunity to provide detailed comments on all sections of the consultation document and the supporting EHIA. 117 respondents provided comments, 105 of which were provided on behalf of an organisation (see table 1). There was a total of 856 comments.

There was cross-sector support for straightforward incorporation of NICE technology appraisal guidance into NICE guidelines, where relevant technology appraisal recommendations are presented, unchanged, within the guidelines. However, stakeholder feedback on the more complex proposed integration of technology appraisal guidance into NICE guidelines was mixed.