NICE Listens Dialogue

NICE has introduced a process for deliberative public engagement: NICE Listens. Whilst performing a similar function to our previous Citizens Council, it offers a more flexible format which can be tailored to different topics and timescales. It complements our existing mechanisms for public engagement but is used to address particularly challenging topics.

The first NICE Listens project on health inequalities was carried out between September 2021 and January 2022. The second NICE Listens project on environmental sustainability in healthcare was carried out between September 2022 and February 2023. The final reports from these projects can be found on the NICE Listens page of the NICE website.

Each time a topic is identified by NICE as being suitable for NICE Listens a similar process will occur:

A suitable independent external contractor will be selected (as per NICE procurement processes) to support the recruitment for, design, set-up, facilitation and evaluation (if required) of a NICE Listens public dialogue. NICE staff will work with the successful contractor to design and develop the public dialogue. The terms 'public dialogue' and 'dialogue' are used interchangeably here and act as general terms to cover the activities that will form the NICE Listens project, including the meetings with the public and any other activities in between. The term "meeting" is used to describe the sessions with the public, rather than describing a specific methodology. This public dialogue will be supported by Sciencewise and as such the methodology will be in accordance with the Sciencewise Guiding Principles and Quality Framework.

The contractor will recruit and support an appropriate sample of the public to participate in the dialogue. The size, format and duration of each public dialogue will vary depending on the topic. It is expected, however, that participants will have the opportunity to hear from and cross-examine expert speakers, review relevant case studies and vignettes, engage in discussion and deliberation in both plenary and small group sessions to explore others' points of view, and consider trade-offs carefully. NICE does not expect the group to necessarily reach a consensus. Rather, it wishes to understand the reasons and values behind any divergent conclusions that may be reached.

The successful contractor will feedback on the group's conclusions via a written report or an alternative format (agreed in advance). The findings will inform various aspects of NICE's work. The contractor may be asked to help present the results at relevant meetings.

Suppliers will be invited through the RM6126 - Research & Insights DPS framework.