NICE calls for physios to chair NICE guideline development committees

^{NICE committee chairs must be able to communicate complex issues to a range of audiences}

The deadline is looming, however. Applications have to be in by 16 May and interviews will be held on 15 June.

CSP professional adviser Jenny Nissler said the call represented a good opportunity for more physiotherapists to be involved in the NICE process from the beginning.

On behalf of NICE, the National Guideline Alliance (NGA) is recruiting chairs for guideline committees on the following topics

• epilepsy in children
• children and young people with disabilities and severe complex needs
• gout
• infant, children and young people's experience of healthcare
• social work interventions for adults with complex needs (including adults with learning disabilities) and mental health needs

The successful applicants will work with NGA staff, a topic adviser and the committee over about two years to develop the guidelines. They do not need specialist knowledge of the topic as this is provided by other committee members.

Offiong Ani, NGA project manager, said the key requirements are for ‘skilled and experienced leaders with a track record of chairing multi-professional committees or working groups at national level.’

She also said they need an ability to communicate complex issues to a range of audiences, a commitment to evidence-based medicine or practice and experience of guideline development processes.

Allocation of chairs to specific guidelines will be made after the appointments are made.