Participate in guideline development: Influence and contribute to new paediatric clinical guidelines and quality standards

It is essential that paediatricians and other child health professionals contribute to and shape the development of child health clinical guidelines, both from RCPCH and from other organisations like NICE.

In March 2023, we changed the the way members are consulted on the development of externally produced clinical guidelines and quality standards. This page lists current and forthcoming consultations, and detail
on how to get involved.

Introduction

RCPCH is involved in the development of paediatric clinical guidelines:

  • As a developer of RCPCH guidelines, and
  • As a formal stakeholder on guidelines developed by other organisations such as NICE, SIGN, other Royal Colleges and organisations.

Being involved in the development of guidelines provides the paediatric community with the opportunity to be engaged at different decision-making stages: attending scoping workshops, joining guideline development groups (as a chair or topic expert) or providing comments during the consultation of drafts. Participating in consultations allows recommendations for practice to be influenced before guidelines are published and implemented.

Current and forthcoming consultations

Current 

Forthcoming

  • Maternal and child nutrition (NICE) draft guideline - June 2024

About the consultation programme

As of March 2023, we support paediatric Specialty Groups and Special Interest Groups to respond directly to consultations on clinical guidelines that are developed by NICE, SIGN and other national organisations.

Why we recommend that these groups respond directly to NICE instead of RCPCH

There are several advantages:

  • Reduce duplication of consultation invitations and submission of responses - as organisations such as NICE are increasingly approaching Specialty Groups for comment.
  • Specialty Groups will typically have more time to directly respond to NICE - without the earlier deadline set by RCPCH to collate comments and review before submission.
  • Acknowledge the contribution of each Specialty Group/Special Interest Group in influencing paediatric recommendations for practice.
  • Enhance effective communication between RCPCH members and NICE.

What groups need to do to get involved in NICE guidelines?

The chair, convenor, secretary or other nominated member of a Specialty Group or Special Interest Group will need to register as a formal stakeholder with NICE on their website.

  • Register as a stakeholder group with NICE on this link.
  • You will receive emails from NICE to be part of clinical guidelines relevant to your group's specialty or special interest. This includes invitations to nominate experts to be involved in guideline meetings and to submit comments to guideline drafts.
  • We recommend that you share these consultation requests with your group's members and collect their comments. As a stakeholder, you will be able to review comments and then submit your group's response to NICE.
  • Your group will be acknowledged and listed as a formal stakeholder responder.

Here are some more details for Specialty Groups/Special Interest Groups, and for members of those groups:

We will continue to inform members of opportunities to get involved in guideline development

We will post forthcoming consultations and opportunities to get involved on the development of paediatric guidelines on this web page and on our social media channels, including Twitter @RCPCHtweets.

We will continue to email members of our consultation panel about specific opportunities that match their clinical interests. Where relevant and depending on the type of consultation, we will advise to:

  • Provide comments to guidelines developed by RCPCH
  • Liaise with Specialty Groups or Special Interest Groups with your comments
  • Liaise with guideline developers directly.

Members can join this consultation panel, or update their details, on our consultation panel form.

Frequently asked questions about the consultation programme

I am the nominated contact of my Specialty Group or Special Interest Group - how do I register our group with NICE?

If you are acting on behalf of your Specialty Group or Special Interest Group (eg you are the chair, convener, secretary or nominated member), please register your group as a formal stakeholder with NICE and receive invitations to consult on guidelines.

I am a member of a Specialty Group/Special Interest Group - how can I participate in guideline development?

We recommend going through your Specialty Group/Special Interest Group - find email addresses on our contacts page.

You can register as an individual with NICE, but please note NICE is not obliged to consider or respond to individual comments.

I am NOT a member of Specialty Group/Special Interest Group - can I participate in guideline development?

Yes, you can still participate. We encourage you to comment on guidelines by liaising with the relevant Specialty Group or Special Interest Group based on the guideline topic - find email addresses on our contacts page.

You can register as an individual with NICE, but please note NICE is not obliged to consider or respond to individual comments.

I am a doctor in specialty training - can I participate in guideline development?

Yes, you can still participate. We encourage you to comment on guidelines by liaising with the relevant Specialty Group or Special Interest Group based on the guideline topic - find email addresses on our contacts page.

You can register as an individual with NICE, but please note NICE is not obliged to consider or respond to individual comments.

I am on the RCPCH clinical guidelines consultation panel - will I still hear from RCPCH?

Yes, we will still email you about clinical guidelines that match your interests.

For non-RCPCH guidelines, we will usually encourage you to get in touch with the relevant Specialty Group or Special Interest Group, though occasionally we will request comments from you on a NICE guideline.

For RCPCH guidelines, we will invite your comments.

If you would like to update your contact details or clinical interests for the consultation panel, please complete the consultation panel form. (This does not link to your RCPCH online account.)

Can I still contact RCPCH to respond on behalf of my group if I feel the College is best placed to respond to a consultation?

Yes. Please contact the team at guidelines@rcpch.ac.uk before the submission deadline if you are concerned that this is an area of controversy that you would like to bring to the attention of RCPCH. This is particularly pertinent for guidelines that are high profile and/or controversial.

Where do I find paediatric guidelines in development?

We will promote guidelines developed by NICE and other national guideline organisations so you can engage via your Specialty Group/Special Interest Group. Information will be updated regularly on this web page.