§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact284W which the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will have on regional variations in the delivery of health services. [85027]
§ Mr. DenhamThe National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) will issue clear and robust guidance that will seek to address regional variations in the provision of clinical and cost-effective treatments.
We are working with the professions to produce National Service Frameworks and clinical guidelines which will give us maximum national efficiency whilst still allowing for appropriate local and individual responsiveness.
We are determined to tackle "post-code prescribing" caused by the market approach to health care. NICE will provide a single source of reliable guidance about effectiveness, which will provide a sound basis for decision-making for the whole country.