Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)'s capacity to continue producing respected clinical guidance, based on up-to-date medical evidence, in order to support the best health outcomes for all patients.
The Department holds regular accountability meetings with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to review performance against its priorities and objectives, including consideration of any capacity issues. No current capacity issues have been identified. NICE will focus on key priorities, such as addressing health inequalities, providing recommendations where its guidance will have the greatest impact. NICE has recently completed a review of the methods and processes for evaluating clinically and cost-effective health technologies to ensure rapid access for patients, the National Health Service and the life sciences industry. This review will enable NICE to be faster, flexible, more responsive and transparent in supporting the health and care system and the life sciences industry and allow new and emerging health technologies to be available patients as soon as possible.