What is the function of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) plays a crucial role in the UK's healthcare system by providing evidence-based guidance aimed at improving health outcomes. This involves evaluating clinical guidelines, technologies, and treatments to ensure that patients receive the best possible care based on the latest and most robust evidence. By issuing these guidelines, NICE helps healthcare professionals make informed decisions that positively impact patient care and efficiency within the health system.

The agency focuses on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of treatments, which assists both healthcare providers and patients in understanding what interventions are most likely to lead to better health results. This dual emphasis on evidence-based recommendations and the improvement of health outcomes underscores why B is the correct answer, highlighting NICE’s fundamental purpose in promoting high-quality healthcare in the UK.