National Institute for Clinical Excellence

HC Deb 26 April 1999 vol 330 cc26-7W

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the appraisal process for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence following the consultation on the document, "Faster Access to Modern Treatment". [81229]

Mr. Denham

Ministers are considering the response to the discussion document "Faster Access to Modern Treatment: how NICE appraisal will work" and further announcements will be made shortly.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence will carry out 30 to 50 appraisals each year. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Health and for Wales, along with the board of NICE, are responsible for deciding which appraisals NICE will commission each year. This year's work programme for NICE has yet to be finalised.