NICE process and methods
Introduction
In this process guide, the term stakeholders is used to include both stakeholders and respondents unless otherwise stated (see section 4.1 on stakeholder engagement).
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for driving improvement and excellence in the health and social care system. We develop guidance, standards and information on high- quality health and social care. We also advise on ways to promote healthy living and prevent ill health.
Our aim is to help practitioners deliver the best possible care and give people the most effective treatments, which are based on the most up-to-date evidence and provide value for money, in order to reduce inequalities and variation.
Our products and resources are produced for the NHS, local authorities, care providers, charities, and anyone who has a responsibility for commissioning or providing healthcare, public health or social care services.
To find out more about what we do, visit about NICE on our website and follow us on Twitter: @NICEComms
NICE quality standards
The NICE Quality Standards Programme was established in 2009 to manage the development of quality standards, and sits within NICE's Health and Social Care Directorate. NICE quality standards are central to supporting the Government's vision for an NHS and Social Care system focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for people who use services, as detailed in the Health and Social Care Act (2012).
This guide details the process that NICE uses to develop quality standards. Figure 1 sets out an overview of this process.
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Quality standards developed by NICE are published on the NICE website (see published quality standards) and are also available from other supporting organisations, such as professional and patient or service user organisations.
Please note that throughout this guide the term 'quality standards' refers to all quality standards produced by NICE. The principles of developing NICE quality standards for healthcare, social care and public health, or combinations of these, are the same, although in some circumstances the development process may differ. Where this is the case, the differences are clearly explained.
NICE quality standards apply in England and Wales (see the UK government website and Welsh government website). Decisions on how they may apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland are made by the Scottish government and Northern Ireland Executive.
NICE is very grateful to everyone who contributed to the development of this guide.
Selecting and sequencing topics for quality standards
Topics for quality standards
The Health and Social Care Act 2012 states that:
'The relevant commissioner may direct NICE to prepare statements of standards in relation to the provision of:
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NHS services,
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public health services, or
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social care in England.'
The Department of Health and Social Care and other key stakeholder organisations worked with NICE to develop a core list of topics for quality standard development in health-related topics which was referred to NICE in March 2012. Future topics will be referred to NICE by NHS England and Improvement for health-related areas, and by the Department of Health and Social Care and Department for Education for areas such as social care, public health and education.
Sequencing of topics
NICE will work with NHS England and Improvement and other partners to prioritise topics for development on an annual basis. Further details relating to the process for sequencing of topics, and the timetable for delivery, can be found at selecting and prioritising guideline and quality standard topics on the NICE website.