HC Deb 17 July 2001 vol 372 c112W
Sandra Gidley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what means NICE defines and identifies experts to advise their appraisal committees. [3289]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer 11 July 2001]: Details of the appraisal process are a matter for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. NICE has recently published details of the process, including a full description of the selection of experts. Experts are now nominated by stakeholder bodies, and the selection is made by the chairman of the appraisal committee using published criteria.

Sandra Gidley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the membership of the Appraisal Committee following recent appeals against NICE. [4166]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer 16 July 2001]: No. Appeals are a part of the Institute's process for developing robust and reliable guidance.