5 August 2009

NICE

1999-2009: A decade of excellence (30th July 2009)
This booklet has been published to celebrate NICE's 10th anniversary. It covers the key milestones in NICE's development, from the creation in 1999 and publication of the first guidance on 2000 (on removing wisdom teeth) to their expanded role as a result of Lord Darzi's 2008 report 'High Quality Care for All'.
Booklet
News story


Appraising the value of innovation and other benefits. A short study for NICE (22nd July 2009)
In January 2009, NICE commissioned Professor Sir Ian Kennedy to carry out a short study of valuing innovation aimed at addressing the following questions:
  • What approach should be adopted by NICE to ensure that innovation is properly taken into account when establishing the value of new health technologies?
  • Should particular forms of value be considered more important than others?
  • How should innovation in health technologies be defined?
  • What is the relationship between innovation and value?
The report was presented to the Board of NICE at its public meeting on 22nd July 2009.
Report


Vagus nerve stimulation for severe depression (interventional procedures consultation) (23rd July 2009)
Depression is associated with feelings of sadness, despair, helplessness, hopelessness and lack of interest in life. People with severe depression may be unable to eat or sleep or to take part in social activities, and they may become completely withdrawn. Vagus nerve stimulation aims to improve mood regulation and reduce depression by stimulating the nerve in the neck that carries signals to the brain areas involved. A generator implanted under the skin in the chest area is used to provide electrical stimulation to the nerve.

This document summarises the procedure and sets out the provisional recommendations made by the Advisory Committee. Closing date for comments is 20th August 2009.
Consultation

Balloon catheter insertion for Bartholin's cyst or abscess (interventional procedures consultation) 23rd July 2009
The Bartholin’s glands are at the entrance of the vagina. A cyst or abscess can form in the Bartholin’s duct (which drains the glands) if it becomes blocked or infected. Cysts are usually treated either by ‘incision and drainage’ or ‘marsupialisation’, which involves cutting into the cyst and placing stitches to make a permanent opening so that the gland can drain freely. Insertion of a balloon catheter is a non-surgical alternative to incision and drainage or marsupialisation.

This document summarises the procedure and sets out the provisional recommendations made by the Advisory Committee. Closing date for comments is 20th August 2009.
Consultation

Radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of colorectal metastases in the liver (interventional procedures consultation) (23rd July 2009)
Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the bowel (including the colon and rectum). In some patients, cancer cells could spread from the bowel to other parts of the body to form one or more ‘secondary tumours’, also known as ‘metastases’. For bowel cancer, most commonly secondary tumours occur in the liver.

Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to destroy cancer cells in the liver. It involves placing one or more electrodes into the tumour. The electrodes are used to heat the tumour with the aim of destroying it. Radiofrequency ablation can be applied through the skin or during surgery.

This document summarises the procedure and sets out the provisional recommendations made by the Advisory Committee. Closing date for comments is 20th August 2009.
Consultation

Suction diathermy adenoidectomy (interventional procedures consultation) (23rd July 2009)
Adenoids are small lumps of lymphoid tissue at the back of the nose, which are part of the immune system. They are largest in young children and usually disappear by adulthood. An adenoidectomy is an operation to remove the adenoids if they become enlarged and are thought to be causing health problems such as ‘glue ear’. Suction diathermy adenoidectomy is a type of surgery to remove the adenoids using heat and suction.

This document summarises the procedure and sets out the provisional recommendations made by the Advisory Committee. Closing date for comments is 20th August 2009.
Consultation

Multiple pregnancy: scope consultation (28th July 2009)
NICE have been asked to develop a clinical practice guideline on Multiple pregnancy for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The draft scope defines what aspects of care the guideline will cover and to whom it will apply. Registered stakeholders for this guideline are invited to submit comments on the scope and may suggest clinical questions that could be answered in the guideline. Closing date for comments is 24th August 2009.
Consultation

Myelodysplastic syndromes - azacitidine: appraisal consultation (3rd August 2009)
The Department of Health has asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce guidance on using azacitidine in the NHS in England and Wales. The Appraisal Committee has considered the evidence submitted by the manufacturer and the views of non-manufacturer consultees and commentators, and clinical specialists and patient experts.

This document has been prepared for consultation with the consultees. Closing date for comments is 24th August 2009.
Consultation

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