HC Deb 04 December 2002 vol 395 c904W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to monitor NHS clinical compliance with NICE recommendations. [82922]

Mr. Lammy

It is not feasible to monitor centrally every clinical decision for consistency with National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance. Clinicians have to make independent clinical judgments, taking due account of NICE'S advice and the strength of evidence which lies behind it. They may depart from the advice if in their view the circumstances of the individual patient justify doing so, but they will be held accountable (through clinical governance arrangements) for their clinical decisions.

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