Supporting the Implementation of NICE TAs and Guidelines

Client Challenge

One of our life science clients wanted to better understand the national, regional and local decision-making processes for the adoption of new therapies and innovations. Visions4Health was commissioned to explore ‘current ways of working at the NHS coal face’ and support the client to evolve internal knowledge and thinking, enabling them to better engage and collaborate with the healthcare system and specific stakeholders at both a national and local level.

Our Solution

Visions4Health undertook a very detailed and locally focused two-phase qualitative research campaign:

Phase 1

The first element comprised desk-based research tracking how two selected NICE technology appraisals (TAs) and two selected NICE guidelines were implemented by all 42 Area Prescribing Committees (APCs) or Integrated Medicines Optimisation Committees (IMOCs) in England. Visions4Health used both proprietary and publicly available platforms to search for the necessary data/information.

Phase 2

This was designed to interrogate the insights and assumptions generated in phase 1 by conducting a survey and in-depth interviews (IDIs) with healthcare system stakeholders with key decision-making responsibilities. 16 participants were selected from our Networks4Health community, and each completed a 15-minute online survey followed by a 45-minute IDI. The roles of the 16 interviewees were:

• 4 x Hospital Chief Pharmacists
• 4 x Interface/Formulary Pharmacists
• 4 x Medicines Optimisation ICS Lead Pharmacists
• 4 x Clinical hospital/GP prescribing leads on formulary committees​

Outcomes

A fully comprehensive report that showcased:

• The current formulary and guideline implementation processes​, in both written and visual (infographic) format
• The level of resources deployed to implement NICE guidance and TAs
• Where there is duplication in efforts and suggestions for where efficiencies could be considered in the future
• Recommendations on how the client could effectively collaborate with healthcare system stakeholders at a national, system/area and Trust level