The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) produces guidance for the NHS and wider health and care system. This makes healthcare more financially and practically efficient for taxpayers and raises the standards of care for patients. They also empower patients by maintaining a library of patient decision aids, which inform people about different treatment options and their respective benefits, harms and uncertainties. It was established by the Health and Social Care Act 2012. The Act requires it to perform its functions with regard to the balance between the benefits and costs of providing health and social care, the level of need of people for health and social care, and the desirability of promoting innovation in health and social care. It must exercise its functions effectively, efficiently and economically.
