Guidelines

Identifying and defining standards

Clinical guidelines are recommendations on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS in England and Wales. Clinical guidelines are based on the best available evidence. Guidelines help healthcare professionals in their work, but they do not replace their knowledge and skills.

Key components of a useful clinical guideline

• Identification of the key decisions and their consequences
• Review of the relevant, valid evidence on the benefits, risks, and costs of alternative decisions
• Presentation of the evidence required to inform key decisions in a simple, accessible format that is flexible to stakeholder preferences

The RCP is involved in the development of a wide range of clinical guidelines and guidance for physicians.  These include NICE guidelines, developed by the National Clinical Guideline Centre; concise guidelines in collaboration with specialist societies; UK guidelines; and working party reports.

Types of guidelines and guidance

NICE guidelines 

• National Clinical Guideline Centre 
• Other NICE Guidelines

Concise guidance series

A series of evidence based guidelines for clinical management. Six guidelines are published each year in Clinical Medicine.

• Concise guidance to good practice

Other RCP national guidelines and guidance

• Reducing risk at patient handover 
• Preparations for pandemic influenza
•  Swine flu background presentation (724K )
• Stroke Guidelines
• Occupational Health Guidelines
• Record Keeping Standards
• Latex allergy: occupational aspects of management

Working party reports

College Working Parties (WPs) have produced many influential reports.They have frequently led the way in terms of public health policy, for instance on smoking and alcohol.

• More information on College working parties