The Department of Health and Social Care announced on Mar. 10 the outcome of its recent consultation regarding amendments to the regulations governing the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
The topic is significant as it addresses how decisions are made about which medical technologies and treatments are funded by the National Health Service, impacting both innovation in healthcare and patient access to new therapies.
In December 2025, the department launched a five-week consultation seeking feedback on whether ministers should have limited power to direct NICE on the standard cost-effectiveness threshold used in its technology appraisal and highly specialised technology programmes. The consultation also considered if NICE should continue to be required to consult when procedural changes result directly from a ministerial direction.
A total of 203 responses were received from professionals, organisations, and individuals across the health and life sciences community. Many respondents highlighted concerns about potential political influence over NICE’s work, while others pointed out that decisions about cost-effectiveness thresholds relate directly to NHS resource allocation—a matter of government policy.
The government acknowledged these concerns but stated that setting the cost-effectiveness threshold is ultimately a public policy decision. As a result, ministers will be granted limited power to set this threshold for NICE's recommendations, though NICE will remain responsible for its broader methodological framework and evidence-based processes. Additionally, NICE will no longer be required to consult on procedural changes arising from ministerial direction but may still engage stakeholders at its discretion.
For the MedTech sector, these changes could clarify policy parameters for assessing new technologies and align health technology assessment with wider government priorities. However, their practical impact will depend on how ministerial powers are exercised in future decisions affecting adoption rates of new devices within the NHS.
The outcome represents a targeted adjustment rather than a fundamental change in NICE’s role. Future developments will depend on how this mechanism shapes relationships between government priorities, health technology assessment, and access to innovation.
