A review of NICE methods across health technology assessment programmes

"Although several differences between these NICE HTA programmes have been found, there are justifications for many of these differences and how they have evolved is apparent, particularly in terms of making sure methods and processes are practicable and relevant to the value proposition of the health technology under consideration."

A review of NICE methods across health technology assessment programmes: Differences, justifications and implications
E Brockis, G Marsden, A Cole, N Devlin
Office of Health Economics
April 2016

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Opportunity costs and local health service spending decisions

"The additional cost pressure represented by a new NICE Technology Appraisals is likely to be accommodated at least partly by greater efficiency and increased expenditure rather than displacement of services."

Opportunity costs and local health service spending decisions: a qualitative study from Wales
S Karlsberg Schaffer, J Sussex, D Hughes, N Devlin
BMC Health Services Research, 2016, 16:103

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Lessons for social policy and practice from NICE

"NICE-type bodies should listen to users and understand social values."

The NICE way: lessons for social policy and practice from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
F Ruiz, J Breckon
Alliance for Useful Evidence, National Institute for Health and Care, NESTA Excellence
October 2014

Read more here.

Body mass index thresholds for intervening to prevent ill health among black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups

"This briefing summarises NICE's recommendations for local authorities and partner organisations on the use of body mass index (BMI) as a signal for preventive action against long-term medical conditions. The focus is on people from black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups."

Body mass index thresholds for intervening to prevent ill health among black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups
NICE Public Health Briefing
January 2014

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NICE Quality Standard: Surgical site infection (QS49)

"This quality standard covers the prevention and treatment of surgical site infection for adults, children and young people undergoing surgical incisions through the skin, in all healthcare settings."

NICE Quality Standard: Surgical site infection (QS49)
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
October 2013

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Quality Standard: Headaches in young people and adults

"NICE quality standards describe high-priority areas for quality improvement in a defined care or service area. This quality standard covers the diagnosis and management of the most common primary headache disorders (tension-type headache, migraine and cluster headache) and medication overuse headache in adults and young people aged 12 years and older."

QS 42: Headaches in young people and adults
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
August 2013

Access the quality standard here.

Psoriasis: support for commissioning

"This document reviews the potential cost impact and implications for commissioners and service providers of the NICE quality standard for Psoriasis."

QS40 Psoriasis: support for commissioning
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
August 2013

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NICE support for commissioning and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

"This document reviews the potential cost impact and implications for commissioners and service providers of the NICE quality standard for Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder."

QS39 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: NICE support for commissioning
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
July 2013

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Addressing the 'postcode lottery' in local resource allocation decisions

"This paper reports on how the National Prescribing Centre competency framework was developed, and presents a potentially transferable methodology for advancing a competency framework to support individual and organisational learning and improvement."

Addressing the 'postcode lottery' in local resource allocation decisions: a framework for clinical commissioning groups
J Russell, T Greenhalgh, H Lewis, I MacKenzie, N Maskrey, J Montgomery, C O'Donnell
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 2013, 106(4):120-123

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Falls prevention in older people

"This guideline updates and replaces 'Falls' (NICE clinical guideline 21)."

Falls: assessment and prevention of falls in older people
NICE Clinical Guideline 161
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
June 2013

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Implementation of nice guidance on venous thromboembolism risk assessment and prophylaxis

"Our results show an improvement in the percentage of patients who are risk assessed for VTE across all hospitals."

The implementation of nice guidance on venous thromboembolism risk assessment and prophylaxis: a before-after observational study to assess the impact on patient safety across four hospitals in England
AG Bateman, R Sheaff, S Child, O Boiko, OC Ukoumunne, T Nokes, A Copplestone, CA Gericke
BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:203

Read more here.

Two new QIPP themed cased studies

NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) has published two new QIPP case studies:

• Self management for chronic knee pain: using group physiotherapy to teach exercises and coping strategies
• Wireless working in hospitals: improving efficiency and safety of out-of-hours care

Using NICE guidance and quality standards to improve practice

"This guide aims to help and support health and social care provider organisations to implement National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance and use NICE quality standards to achieve improved quality of care in their local settings."

Using NICE guidance and quality standards to improve practice
NICE
April 2013

Read more here.

Invitation to join NICE Quality and Outcomes Framework Advisory Committee

NICE is seeking new members to join its Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) Advisory Committee. The QOF rewards practices for the provision of quality care and helps standardise improvements in the delivery of clinical care.

Find out more about the application process here.

Why some people are not offered the medicines that NICE recommends

"Despite best efforts, and a raft of existing initiatives, gaps in diagnostic services, in funding, and in delivery capacity mean that some people that are eligible for a NICE recommended drug are never offered that option."

Bridging the gap: why some people are not offered the medicines that NICE recommends
P Stephens
The IMS Institute
November 2012

Read more here.

Use of NICE appraised medicines in the NHS in England

"As part of the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) agreement which came into operation on 1 January 2009, the Department of Health (DH) and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry agreed that the DH would review the variation in uptake of selected medicines in the NHS in England."

Use of NICE appraised medicines in the NHS in England – 2010 and 2011, experimental statistics
The Information Centre for Health and Social Care
October 2012

Access relevant documents here.

NICE Pathways: guidance at your fingertips

"NICE Pathways is an online tool provides quick and easy access, topic by topic, to the range of guidance from NICE, including quality standards, technology appraisals, clinical and public health guidance and NICE implementation tools."

Access the pathways here.

The NICE Commissioning Outcomes Framework Indicator Programme

The Commissioning Outcomes Framework (COF) Advisory Committee have recommended a set of 44 indicators, which have been identified from NICE quality standards, the NHS Outcomes Framework and other existing indicator collections such as national audits. A selection of final indicators will be considered by the NHS Commissioning Board in autumn 2012 for inclusion in the 2013/14 COF.

Read more here.

Why we need to create a 'NICE for social policy'

"This paper outlines why we need to explore a centre - or a network of evidence centres - which help to institutionalise evidence in the decision making process."

Why we need to create a 'NICE for social policy'
R Puttick
NESTA
May 2012

Read more here.