UK
Social Value Judgements Guidelines Consultation by NICE
By NICE
May 8, 2005, 20:04

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has developed a consultation document on the social value judgements that affect the development of its guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health. The consultation document describes the social value judgements that the Board believe should guide NICE�s decision making � it will not be issued as guidance for the wider NHS. The consultation document was issued on 4 April and consultation closes on 30 June. It can be found on the website at: http://www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=250583.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE or the Institute) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health. NICE was preceded by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, which was set up in 1999 and also known as NICE. The functions of another NHS organisation, the Health Development Agency, were transferred to NICE on 1 April 2005.

The Institute and its advisory bodies base their conclusions on the best available evidence, but they also have to make judgements. These judgements fall into two categories: scientific value judgements are concerned with interpreting the significance and relevance of the totality of the available scientific, technical and clinical data; whilst social value judgements take account of societal aspirations, preferences and ethical principles that ought to underpin the manner and extent of the care provided to NHS patients.

The advisory groups who formulate the various forms of NICE guidance are well-qualified to make scientific judgements. However, to date the social value judgements underpinning NICE guidance have not been explicit. In order to rectify this situation the Board of NICE has formulated guidelines, based on the work of NICE�s Citizens Council and the views of the Institute�s advisory bodies, that describe the social value judgements that the Board believe should be incorporated into NICE�s decision making.

Please note that the guidelines do not consider the social value judgements concerned with developing public health advice. This issue will be addressed in future editions.

The draft guidelines are available through the link below. NICE is consulting on the guidelines for a period of three months to 30 June 2005 and is actively seeking comments from organisations and individuals with an interest in this area.

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