Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to make it mandatory for health professions to adhere to (a) NICE Clinical Guideline on nutritional support in adults, CG32 and (b) NICE Quality Standard QS24.

The Government has no such plans. However, healthcare professionals are expected to fully take into account the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) clinical guidelines and quality standards, alongside the individual patient needs, preferences and values when exercising their judgement about care and treatment. NICE clinical guidelines and quality standards, including ‘Nutrition support for adults: oral feeding, enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition’ (NICE Clinical Guideline 32), describe best practice in the care and treatment of people with a particular condition or need, and people in particular circumstances or settings. They are based on the best available evidence and are developed through wide consultation.