Evidence from NICE – MT 11

Inquiry into Access to Medical Technologies in Wales a submission from NICE

1. NICE is an executive non-departmental public body operating within the wider health, public health and social care system. NICE provides guidance to support practitioners and managers in making sure that the care commissioned and provided is of the best possible quality and offers the best value for money. Regulations require NHS bodies to comply with technology appraisal recommendations within three months of publication. The Health and Social Care Act (2012) also places a requirement on the Secretary of State for Health to “have regard to the quality standards prepared by NICE”, in discharging their duty to improve the quality of services.

2. NICE looks forward to continuing to work with stakeholders in Wales to develop and promote guidance and other products on medical and diagnostic technologies, using its existing published processes.

3. In response to the well documented barriers that prevent timely adoption of effective medical technologies NICE has developed a Heath Technologies Adoption Programme (HTAP). The focus of which is to work with NHS and Social Care providers, commissioners, patients and manufacturers to identify and resolve adoption barriers to implementation of NICE medical technology and diagnostics guidance. The National Assembly for Wales Health and Social Care Committee may be interested to hear more about this programme and NICE would be prepared to give oral evidence if invited.