NICE clinical guidelines
Comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations covering full care pathways for specific conditions, updated as evidence shifts.
Applies to clinicians using NICE pathways for condition-specific care.
NICE clinical guidelines are evidence-based recommendations developed for the NHS and other UK health and care professionals on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions, aiming to improve patient outcomes and ensure consistency in practice across the country; these guidelines are produced by independent committees comprising health professionals, patients, carers, and technical experts who systematically review the best available evidence, often from randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews, and real-world data, to formulate recommendations that cover the entire clinical pathway from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment, management, and palliative care, ensuring a holistic approach to patient management.
NICE technology appraisals
NICE technology appraisals are a core category of guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, focusing specifically on evaluating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new and existing health technologies, which include medicines, medical devices, diagnostic techniques, surgical procedures, and other therapeutic interventions, to determine their value for money and appropriate use within the NHS in England and Wales.
Diagnostics and medical technologies guidance
NICE diagnostics and medical technologies guidance provides evidence-based recommendations on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new or existing diagnostic techniques, medical devices, and other health technologies for use within the NHS in England and Wales, with the primary aim of ensuring that patients have equitable access to the most effective technologies that represent good value for the health service.
Quality standards and supporting resources
Quality standards are a concise set of prioritised statements designed to drive measurable improvements in specific areas of health and social care, derived from the best available evidence, typically from NICE guidelines or other accredited sources, and they serve as a practical tool for clinicians, commissioners, and service providers to assess and improve the quality of care they deliver by focusing on key areas for quality improvement, with each standard containing a set of statements that act as markers of high-quality, cost-effective care, covering aspects such as patient experience, safety, and clinical effectiveness.