To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to work with NICE to ensure that NICE committees (a) are accountable and (b) adequately consider patient testimony.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and is responsible for the methods and processes it uses in developing its guidance. Patients are represented on NICE’s committees and patient groups and are able to register as stakeholders in the development of guidance and comment on its recommendations.

NICE is currently reviewing its methods and processes for developing recommendations on new technologies, including its processes for patient involvement.