NICE

NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.

The Trust has the responsibility for implementing NICE guidance in order to ensure patients receive the best and most appropriate treatment and that NHS resources are not wasted by inappropriate treatment.

The guidance covers

• Public health - guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health for those working in the NHS, local authorities and the wider public and voluntary sector
• Health technologies - guidance on the use of new and existing medicines, treatments and procedures within the NHS
• Clinical practice - guidance on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS.

Clinical guidelines are based on the best available evidence. Guidelines help health professionals in their work, but they do not replace their knowledge and skills.

Clinical guidelines:

• Provide recommendations for the treatment and care of people by health professionals
• Can be used to develop standards to assess the clinical practice of individual health professionals
• Can be used in the education and training of health professionals
• Can help patients to make informed decisions and to improve communication between the patient and health professional.

Useful Links

To access all patient and public guidance, click here.