§ Matthew GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that health care professionals are informed of the direction his Department has given to support the implementation of NICE guidance; and if he will make a statement. [59858]
§ Mr. HuttonChief executives of national health service bodies in England were told about the directions in a bulletin to them dated 14 December 2001. They were asked to cascade the information to all relevant staff.
The directions came into force on 1 January 2002, and place statutory obligations on NHS bodies to provide funding for clinical decisions within recommendations from National Institute for Clinical Excellence within three months of their appraisal guidance being issued. The text of the directions has been placed on three websites:
- www.doh.gov.uldpricare/pcts.htm
- www.doh.gov.uk/finman.htm
- www.psu.ppa.nhs.uk