Many people claim that NICE guidelines mandate particular treatments
and that individual doctors, in individual cases, simply cannot go
against them.
However, NICE guidelines start with a statement which denies this.
Thyroid disease: assessment and management
NICE guideline
Published: 20 November 2019
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145 © NICE 2020.
The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them and their families and carers or guardian.
Clearly, wantonly ignoring the NICE guidelines would be highly questionable behaviour. But the needs of the individual patient are paramount and must take priority.
All guidelines, from NICE or anyone else, should contain similar statements and, if they do not, their authority must be questionable.
If you wish to post a link to this blog on HealthUnlocked, copy the entire dark red text below, and paste into post or reply:
[i][b]NICE Guidelines are NOT mandatory[/b]
Extract from NICE website which clearly states that NICE guidelines are not mandatory.
Last updated 10/02/2025[/i]
Link to blog:
https://helvella.blogspot.com/p/nice-guidelines-are-not-mandatory.html
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