Single technology appraisal (STA) timeline
These are the main stages in the single technology appraisal (STA) process.
Timings are approximate. For a full description of the appraisal process, please see our Health Technology Evaluation manual.
Topics are referred to us by ministers following the topic selection process.
Timeline for STAs
Week 1
Development starts
We invite relevant stakeholders to take part in the appraisal.
All non-company consultees have 8 weeks to submit a statement on the potential clinical and cost effectiveness of a treatment.
Find out more about consultee submissions.
Organisations can apply to become a consultee or commentator at any point of the process.
Request for evidence
We ask the intervention technology company to provide an evidence submission.
They have 8 weeks to produce the company submission.
Find out more about evidence submissions.
Information added to the NICE website
We publish the final scope, the name of the independent academic centre - called the Evidence Assessment Group (EAG) - and the stakeholder list on the website.
The scope sets out what the technology appraisal will cover and the questions that need to be addressed.
Request for clinical, commissioning and patient experts
We ask consultees to send in their nominations. The NICE team and the chair of the appraisal committee selects experts from those nominated.
Experts are invited to provide written evidence, clarify issues about the evidence base and participate in committee meetings.
Week 9
Deadline for evidence submissions
Evidence review begins
An independent academic centre (called the Evidence Assessment Group) critiques the company's evidence submission and prepares a report on the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of the technology. This is called the External Assessment Report (EAR).
Week 10
Expert invitations
We invite the selected clinical, commissioning and patient experts to attend the appraisal committee. We ask them to submit written evidence on the technology, the way it should be used in the NHS in England, and current management of the condition.
Week 12
Deadline for receipt of the expert statements
Request for clarification sent to company
If the evidence submission is incomplete, we consult with the Evidence Assessment Group and send a letter of clarification to the company.
The company has 10 working days to respond.
Week 18
External assessment report (EAR) received by NICE
EAR sent to company for factual accuracy check.
Week 27
Documents sent to the appraisal committee
The appraisal committee is an independent advisory committee that makes the recommendations.
We send attendees (except members of the public):
A link to the final scope of the evaluation and the stakeholder list.
The external assessment report, clarification comments and responses, comments from technical engagement (if held) and the technical team's summary of them.
The evidence submissions from organisations and experts.
If produced, the managed access or further evidence generation assessment report.
If produced, the draft data collection agreement.
Find out more about the committee and how you can attend a meeting.
Week 29
Appraisal committee meet to consider the evidence
We hold an appraisal committee meeting to consider the written evidence and verbal evidence, drawn from discussions with experts, EAG representatives and national clinical directors or advisers.
The committee decides whether to produce final recommendations, known as final draft guidance (FDG) or draft recommendations known as draft guidance (DG).
If FDG is produced
The FDG is the final draft of the guidance and not open to comment.
Jump to week 32 - if a final appraisal document is produced.
If DG is produced
If DG is needed we send the document out for comment.
Jump to week 31 - if an appraisal consultation document is produced.
We only produce an ACD when the recommendations from the appraisal committee don’t recommend use of the technology, or limit the use of the technology beyond the specifications in the marketing authorisation.
Part 1 of this meeting is open to members of the public and press.
Week 32 - if final draft guidance (FDG) is produced
FDG and supporting documents sent out to stakeholders
Consultees have 15 days to appeal against the final recommendations in the FDG.
Find out more about the appeals process
Week 33
FDG published
We publish the FAD and supporting documents on our website for information.
Week 35
Close of appeal period
If no appeals have been received, the guidance is prepared for publication. If appeals have been received, the appeals process is followed.
Week 38
Technology appraisal published
If there are no appeals we issue the final recommendations as NICE guidance.
Week 31 - If draft guidance (DG) is produced
Draft guidance and supporting documents sent out for comment
Stakeholders have 20 working days to submit comments on the draft recommendations.
Week 32
Public consultation on the DG
The DG and supporting documents are published on the website for comment. The consultation is open for 15 working days.
Anyone can submit comments during the consultation.
Week 35
Consultation on the DG ends
Week 38
Appraisal committee meet to develop the FDG
The appraisal committee considers the comments received on the draft guidance, then makes its final recommendations on how the technology should be used in the NHS in England. This is the FDG.
Part 1 of the meeting is open to members of the public and press.
Week 41
FDG and supporting documents sent to stakeholders
Consultees have 15 working days to appeal against the final recommendations in the FDG.
Find out more about the appeals process
Week 42
FDG published
We publish the FDG and supporting documents on our website for information.
Week 44
Close of appeal period
If no appeals have been received, the guidance is prepared for publication. If appeals have been received, the appeals process is followed.
Week 47
Technology appraisal published
If there are no appeals we issue the final recommendations as NICE guidance.
We publish the technology appraisal. Registered stakeholders are notified by email.
Technical Engagement
If Technical Engagement is used during the evaluation the timeline will extend by 2 months.
Find out more about technical engagement.
Streamlined topics
If a topic is streamlined for committee decision outside of a formal meeting the timeline will reduce by approximately 1 month.
Find out more about committee decisions outside of formal meetings
Related content
We started using this process in April 2018.