MRC/NICE's methodology research program

The UK's Medical Research Council has issued a GBP2.0-million ($3.3 million) call for proposals in methodology research in collaboration  with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE),  which recommends medical treatment under the National Health Service  excluding Scotland.

The need for methodological research to underpin decision-making by the  NICE was highlighted in a House of Commons Health Select Committee  Report in 2008. Since then, the MRC has been working with NICE to  identify its methodological research priorities and the new call for  proposals has been developed in response to the requirements identified.  Commenting on the announcement, Peter Littlejohns, NICE Clinical and  Public Health Director, said: "NICE is tasked with making some of the  most difficult decisions in public life, decisions that have an impact  on the millions of people who use the NHS. It's therefore vital for  people to continue to have confidence not just in the guidance we  produce, but also in the processes and methods we use to produce it."

Prof Littlejohns continued by noting that "this research will address  some of the key issues in our process and methodology. Of particular  importance are the issues around how we measure health-related quality  of life. This is translational research, it's about getting things into  our process and methodology that will make a real difference to  patients."