Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Guidance
Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in light of the publication
of circular HSC (SQSD) NICE 04/11 in September 2011, whether the timescales are being achieved
for (i) the endorsement of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance; and (ii)
commissioning endorsed NICE guidance.
(AQW 13539/11-15)
Mr Poots:
(i) Since the publication of circular HSC (SQSD) NICE 04/11, my Department has endorsed almost
all Technology Appraisals and the majority of Clinical Guidelines published by NICE within the
required timescales.
(ii) Where new treatments were commissioned, the majority of commissioning plans for Technology
Appraisals and Board responses for Clinical Guidelines have been submitted to my Department by
the HSC Board within the required timescales.
Circular HSC (SQSD) NICE 04/11
Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in light of the publication
of circular HSC (SQSD) NICE 04/11 in September 2011, what measures are in place to ensure that
patients can access effective treatments in the period between the National Institute for Health and
Clinical Excellence approval and his Department approving the commissioning plan for the Technology
Appraisal.
(AQW 13540/11-15)
Mr Poots: For cancer drugs commissioning arrangements for 2012/13 have been agreed including
drugs that have been approved by NICE at final draft or final stage but not yet endorsed for use in
Northern Ireland. Funding will be on a cost per case basis. Trusts are required to submit a request in
respect of each patient in advance of treatment commencing.
A Medicines Management Commissioning Team has been established which met for the first time in
early July. This team will play a key role in ensuring that commissioning arrangements for all new drugs
in Northern Ireland are robust, transparent and facilitate timely access to evidence-based treatments.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Guidance
Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) when he will receive
the first annual report from the Health and Social Care Board on the progress in commissioning
services in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance endorsed
by his Department, as stated in HSC (SQSD) NICE 04/11; and (ii) whether the report will be published.
(AQW 13541/11-15)
Mr Poots:
(i) The first progress report is expected to be submitted to my Department in April 2013 and will
cover the18 month period from the start of the new process for Endorsement, Implementation,
Monitoring and Assurance of NICE Technology Appraisals and Clinical Guidelines in Northern
Ireland. The HSC Board will report annually thereafter.
(ii) It is intended that the first and subsequent reports will be published.
Foyle Search and Rescue: Funding
Mr Eastwood asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant AQW
13350/11-15, to detail (i) why his Department does not fund Foyle Search and Rescue given its remit
towards public safety and the recent launch of the refreshed Protect Life Strategy; and (ii) whether he
will give consideration to providing financial support to Foyle Search and Rescue.
(AQW 13547/11-15)
WA 556