Introduction and methodology
Clinical guidelines are recommendations by NICE on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS. They are based on the best available evidence. While clinical guidelines help health professionals in their work, they do not replace their knowledge and skills
Aim of clinical guidelines
Good clinical guidelines aim to improve the quality of healthcare. They can change the process of healthcare and improve people's chances of getting as well as possible. Clinical guidelines provide recommendations for the treatment and care of people by health professionals, and can be used to develop standards to assess the clinical practice of individual health professionals. They can, additionally, be used in the education and training of health professionals, help patients to make informed decision, and lastly, improve communication between patients and health professionals.
Developing clinical guidelines
The following provides a brief summary of how NICE develops clinical guidelines. For more detailed information, please refer to the NICE guidelines Manual.
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- Guideline topic is referred.
The Department of Health refers clinical guideline topics to NICE.
Read more about how guidance topics are chosen on the NICE website.
- Stakeholders register interest.
National organisations representing patients and carers, and also health professionals involved in their care can register as stakeholders. Stakeholders are consulted throughout the guideline development process. Read more about stakeholder registration on the NICE website.
- Scope prepared.
The NCCMH prepares the scope. This document sets out what the guideline will – and will not – cover. NICE, registered stakeholders and an independent guideline review panel can all contribute to the development of the scope.
- Guideline development group established.
This group is made up of health professionals, representatives of patient and carer groups and technical experts. Read more about guideline development groups on the NICE website.
- Draft guideline produced.
To produce the draft guideline, the group assesses the available evidence and makes recommendations.
- Consultation on the draft guideline.
There is at least one public consultation period for registered stakeholders to comment on the draft guideline. An independent guideline review panel reviews the guideline to check that stakeholder comments have been taken into account. Read more about guideline review panels on the NICE website.
- Final guideline produced.
After the guideline development group finalises the recommendations, the NCCMH produces the final guideline.
- Guidance issued.
NICE formally approves the final guideline and issues its guidance to the NHS.
