HC Deb 03 December 2001 vol 376 c139W
Mr. Barron

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards establishing the review of NICE; when the review will commence; who will conduct the review; what the terms of reference are; what arrangements there will be for consulting interested parties; and when he expects the review to be concluded. [20161]

Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he intends to conduct a fundamental review of NICE; and if he will make a statement. [20287]

Jacqui Smith

The report of the Bristol Royal Infirmary Inquiry makes some far-reaching recommendations on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). We are therefore considering how these will affect the review of NICE. We will also need to take into account the recent announcement that the Health Select Committee is to hold a short inquiry into the progress NICE has made in achieving the key goals envisaged in A First Class Service.