The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

Abstract The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) was established in 1999 to provide guidance to the National Health Service (NHS) on the clinical and cost effectiveness of health care interventions. During its first 6 years NICE produced 87 appraisals (with 54 in development), 37 clinical guidelines (with 42 in development), and 112 interventional procedures (with 61 in development). On 1 April 2005 the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (also to be called NICE) was established by the transfer of the functions of the Health Development Agency to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.