§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria the National Institute for Clinical Excellence uses to decide when to look at new treatments in between their particular class appraisals. [137575]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe work programme for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is determined by Ministers having regard to national health service priorities and published selection criteria. These criteria are set out on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/nice/consultation2002/overviewdec02.pdf
§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide the National Institute for Clinical Excellence with extra funds(a) to carry out more appraisals and (b) to issue interim guidance on new technologies during 2004. [137576]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe National Institute for Clinical Excellence has been notified of its funding for the three financial years 2003–04 to 2005–06. The funding includes provision for an additional appraisal committee to be established.
§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is being given to funders to ensure that new medical treatments that are class compatible with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence appraised treatments are not denied funding because they have become licensed in between NICE's appraisal. [137577]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonIn August 1999, the Department issued Health Service Circular 1999/176, which asks national health service bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is not available at the time the technology first became available. These arrangements should involve an assessment of all the available evidence.
868W