External Assessment Group (EAG) for the Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme (MTEP)
YHEC is an external assessment group (EAG), commissioned by NICE to provide independent assessment of the evidence for medical technologies and related economic analysis, as well as providing methodological and analytical support to NICE.
The Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme (MTEP) selects and evaluates new or innovative medical technologies (including devices and diagnostics). MTEP helps the NHS adopt efficient and cost-effective medical devices and diagnostics more rapidly and consistently.
Medical Technologies Advisory Committee (MTAC)
The MTAC is part of the MTEP programme and has two separate functions:
- To select medical devices and diagnostics for which NICE should produce guidance and then route the selected technology to the appropriate NICE guidance producing programme, and;
- To develop guidance on technologies, which is issued by NICE as Medical Technologies Guidance.
YHEC has a central role in developing and facilitating independent research products when NICE medical technology or diagnostics guidance recommends that further research should be carried out.
Economic and Methodological Unit (EMU) for the Public Health and Social Care Centre (PHSCC)
YHEC was the EMU for the NICE PHSCC. The EMU was commissioned by NICE to produce the economic analyses, associated economic models and cost-effectiveness reviews to aid NICE's Public Health Advisory Committees in guideline development. In addition, the EMU was commissioned to carry out projects to address methodological issues identified by the PHSCC.
NICE public health guidelines make recommendations on interventions that can help prevent disease or improve health. The guidelines are aimed at public health professionals, practitioners and others with a direct or indirect role in public health. This may be within the NHS, local authorities, the wider public, voluntary, community and private sectors.
YHEC developed models for around five guidelines each year as well as methods papers, and examples of our work are included below:
Methods papers
Evidence Requirements to Demonstrate Clinical Equivalence and Non-Inferiority
Models for public health guidelines
Flu Vaccination: Increasing Uptake
An economic evaluation of different interventions to promote tobacco harm reduction
Smoking Cessation Interventions and Services
Economic Analysis of Interventions for Smoking Cessation Aimed at Pregnant Women
Indoor Air Quality at Home Economic Model Report
Workplace Health: Long-Term Sickness Absence and Capability to Work
Alcohol Interventions in Secondary and Further Education: Economic Model
Community Pharmacy: Promoting Health and Wellbeing
Physical Activity and the Environment
Economic Analysis of Oral Health Improvement Programmes and Interventions
National Collaborating Centre for Indicator Development
YHEC, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, was the National Collaborating Centre for Indicator Development from 2009 to 2017. YHEC was commissioned to develop an approach to the assessment of the cost-effectiveness of new indicators for the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). We provided economic analysis to the NICE Indicator Advisory Committee twice yearly for new performance indicators, which were piloted and assessed by the University of Birmingham. This involved net benefit analysis of the impact of incentivising primary care to adopt relevant NICE recommendations across a range of diseases and conditions.