Heart Valve Voice Statement on NICE LSA Press Release

Heart Valve Voice wishes to emphasise the critical importance of ensuring that all clinically appropriate treatment options are available to patients. Recent statements from NICE, particularly the press release titled “Savings made by using the most appropriate cost-effective valve could be used by the NHS to fund more procedures and therefore cut the waiting lists,” prompt us to express our concerns about the implications for patient care and safety.

It is especially concerning that the press release was published before patients had been adequately consulted. The early release of conclusions about cost-effectiveness, without fully engaging with the patients who will be directly affected, risks undermining the integrity of the consultation process. Patient perspectives are essential in shaping guidance that truly reflects their needs and priorities, and it is critical that their voices are heard before any final decisions are made.

The selection of the most appropriate heart valve for each patient is a complex and nuanced process, requiring the expertise of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs). It is essential that these decisions be guided by robust clinical evidence and the judgement of clinicians who understand the specific needs of their patients. Premature conclusions about the cost-effectiveness of certain valves risk oversimplifying these decisions and may inadvertently influence clinical choices in ways that do not fully consider the individual circumstances of each patient. 

While we recognise the importance of cost-effectiveness within the NHS, it is vital that assessments do not compromise patient care. We encourage NICE to adopt a cautious, evidence-driven approach that prioritises patient safety and ensures that clinical decisions remain grounded in robust data and expert clinical judgement. Additionally, it is crucial that patients are fully consulted and involved in these discussions, ensuring that their perspectives are central to any future guidance. As the consultation process moves forward, we hope that these considerations will be central to any future guidance, reinforcing the commitment to patient-centred care.