We have had no discussions with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) about the clinical guidelines currently in development on depression in adults and depression in adults with chronic physical health problems. NICE currently expects to issue final guidance for both clinical guidelines in September 2009.
NICE is an independent organisation and its guidance is based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and is developed through wide consultation with stakeholders. The Department is a stakeholder in the development of NICE guidance and has responded to the recent consultations on the draft guidance for these two clinical guidelines.