Establishment and general duties
232The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
(1)There is to be a body corporate known as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (referred to in this Part as “NICE”).
(2)Schedule 16 (which makes further provision about NICE) has effect.
233General duties
(1)In exercising its functions NICE must have regard to—
(a)the broad balance between the benefits and costs of the provision of health services or of social care in England,
(b)the degree of need of persons for health services or social care in England, and
(c)the desirability of promoting innovation in the provision of health services or of social care in England.
(2)NICE must exercise its functions effectively, efficiently and economically.
(3)In this Part—
“health services” means services which must or may be provided as part of the health service in England;
“social care” includes all forms of personal care and other practical assistance provided for individuals who, by reason of age, illness, disability, pregnancy, childbirth, dependence on alcohol or drugs, or any other similar circumstances, are in need of such care or other assistance.