ABSTRACT
The National Health Service is accountable to the people, communities and patients that it serves. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) consults with national patient, carer, community and voluntary organisations at all key stages of guidance development. All NICE advisory bodies include at least two lay members who have a remit to ensure that guidance takes into account patient and public issues, outcomes and preferences. Patient and public involvement at NICE is just one facet of wider national and international attempts to engage more systematically with patients and the public. The need to involve patients and the public in UK health policy making and the planning and development of services is promoted by patient and carer organisations. NICE is leading the way in patient and public involvement with links to the international guidance development community through organisations such as the Guidelines International Network.
