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(NICE) has yesterday announced the first diagnostic technology - a new x-ray system - that it will assess as part of its new diagnostics assessment programme. NICE has also yesterday begun the process of recruiting specialists in the areas covered by the technology to join its Diagnostics Advisory Committee during the development of the guidance.

Already in limited use in the NHS, the Electro-Optical System (EOS) Low Dose 2D/3D x-ray imaging system uses low radiation dose imaging and allows upright, weight bearing head-to-toe images to be taken. This capability could help in the management of orthopaedic patients by showing the relationship between spine, hip, pelvis and knees to help surgery planning. Currently, there are no technologies available that can image the entire spine or leg length without the need for “stitching together” separate images. It also aims to allow faster patient turnaround.

Professor Adrian Newland, Chair of the independent Diagnostics Advisory Committee, said: “This technology may have a number of potentially significant benefits for patients. I and the Diagnostics Advisory Committee now have to interpret all the available evidence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of this technology and based on that, make recommendations as to if, and how, it might be used in the NHS in England.

He continued: “The meaningful assessment of diagnostic technologies, including this one, requires detailed knowledge of the post diagnosis care pathways and this can make the process of assessment very complex. For this reason we have also announced today that we are recruiting specialist committee members with expertise in orthopaedic radiology and scoliosis, as well as the technology being assessed, to help us ensure that the guidance we produce is relevant, robust and practical.”

Notes to Editors

About NICE’s diagnostics assessment programme

1. Further information about the NICE diagnostics assessment programme can be found at:

http://www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/whatwedo/aboutdiagnosticsassessment/diagnosticsassessmentprogramme.jsp

2. Topics to be considered will be routed through the related Evaluation Pathway Programme for Medical Technologies. Further information about this can be found here:

http://www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/whatwedo/aboutmedicaltechnologies/medicaltechnologiesprogramme.jsp

3. NICE is looking for healthcare professionals to join the Diagnostics Assessment Committee as specialist members for this topic, who are likely to have the following backgrounds/expertise:

• Orthopaedic radiologist
• Orthopaedic surgeon
• Scoliosis specialist
• GP or paediatrician with expertise in working with scoliosis patients
• Radiologist with specific expertise in the EOS Ultra Low Dose 2D3D System (or closely related technologies)
• Senior radiographer with experience of introducing new equipment, systems and processes
• NHS Trust general manager with responsible for radiology

Specialist lay members of the Committee are being recruited separately. Please click here for more information.

4. The closing date for applications is 28 July For further information about what the role involves, including the Job Description, Person Specification and recruitment pack, please see the NICE website

About NICE

1. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.

2. NICE produces guidance in three areas of health:

• public health - guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health for those working in the NHS, local authorities and the wider public and voluntary sector
• health technologies - guidance on the use of new and existing medicines, treatments and procedures within the NHS
• clinical practice - guidance on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS