NICE Interventional Procedure Guidance (IPG) provides advice on the safety and efficacy of new interventional procedures. These may be procedures approved for normal use, procedures which should not be used, or those which may be used with certain safeguards. The guidance aims to protect the safety of patients whilst supporting clinicians and healthcare organisations in the process of introducing new procedures and Innovations. 

The Trust recognises the need for innovation and views the introduction of new techniques and procedures as a vital part of practice to improve patient care and enhance the patient experience.  This must be balanced with the corporate responsibility for ensuring the safety of patients involved in the introduction of such techniques and procedures.  The Trust must ensure therefore that when new techniques and procedures are introduced they are appropriate, effective and that all staff undertaking or involved in the procedure are trained.

IPG - Application process

Any clinician considering using a new interventional procedure which they have not used before, or has only used outside the NHS, must seek prior approval to do so from the Clinical Governance Steering Group. This also applies to procedures which may be used in an emergency. They should: 

  • Complete an ‘Intention to Practice’ proforma, with the support of the Clinical Director (link above)
  • Submit the completed proforma, including the supporting signatures of the Clinical Director and the Directorate Manager (regarding issues of resources, funding and training) to the Clinical Effectiveness Department
  • Provide supporting evidence to the application, i.e. training certificates, competency assessments, patient information and consent forms, etc.
  • All clinicians need to present their interventional procedure case for change at the Clinical Governance Steering Group

If the procedure is not the subject of published NICE interventional procedures guidance as listed on NICE’s website but falls within the definition and scope of the Interventional Procedures Programme, the Medical Director of the organisation (or nominated deputy) should notify the procedure to NICE, if the clinician has not already done so. The clinician should make an application in the same way for published NICE intention to practice guidance to the Clinical Governance Steering Group.

All approved applicants must have arrangements in place to provide clinical audit and/ or outcomes data, to report any unexpected, adverse incidents and to highlight any expression of dissatisfaction from patients. This should be done 12 months following introduction of the procedure (link to CGSG review proforma above).

Return to NICE Guidance