Process timeline for medical technologies guidance
It takes 38 weeks to develop a piece of medical technologies guidance.
The Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme selects technologies for evaluation.
For a full description of the process see the:
Timeline
Week 0
Scope prepared
The scope defines the:
disease(s)
patients and technology covered by the assessment
questions the guidance aims to answer.
We prepare the draft scope using the:
notification form
opinion from expert advisers
patient organisations
Week 4
Draft scope circulated for comment
We invite registered stakeholders to comment on the scope.
Once the scope is finalised, we publish it on our website.
Week 6
Company submission
The company prepares and submits their evidence based on the final scope. The evidence aims to respond to the questions raised in the scope. They have 6 weeks to provide the information.
Example of an evidence submission document (Word)
Week 8
Assessment report
An independent external assessment centre reviews and critiques the evidence. They then prepare an assessment report.
The assessment centres were chosen through a public tender. They have knowledge of and expertise in evaluating medical technologies.
This takes approximately 6 weeks.
Week 18
Overview compiled
The overview highlights the key issues and uncertainties in the companies submission and assessment report. It is part of the information used by the committee when they agree the draft recommendations.
Week 21
Medical technologies advisory committee (MTAC) meeting
The medical technologies advisory committee (MTAC) is an independent advisory committee which meets monthly. The relevant meeting papers are sent to members 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
MTAC considers all the evidence presented and formulates draft recommendations. A consultation document is prepared after the meeting.
The meeting is open to members of the public.
Find out how to register to attend a meeting.
Week 24
Consultation on draft recommendations opens
MTAC makes its provisional recommendations in the consultation document.
Registered stakeholders have 4 weeks to comment.
We publish the document on our website. Health professionals and members of the public can also comment on it.
Week 30
Final guidance written
The committee considers the comments received on the consultation document, then makes its final recommendations.
Week 33
Resolution
Once our Guidance Executive has approved the final guidance, it is open to resolution. This is a final quality assurance step before the guidance is published.
Anyone who commented on the consultation can request we make corrections if they believe:
there has been a breach of process
there are factual errors in the guidance.
Commentators have 3 weeks to submit their comments.
You can find out more about resolution in chapter 6 of the process guide.
Week 38
Guidance issued
If there are no resolution requests, the final guidance is published.
If we receive resolution requests, we suspend publishing the guidance while we investigate them.