A database of NICE guidance recommendations on primary care referral advice has been launched today to help improve patient care.

The database covers the guidance on conditions such suspected cancer, lower back pain and psoriasis.

It highlights recommendations from guidance which clearly identify where patients might benefit from secondary care or specialist services.

The database is intended to help ensure value for money for the NHS as well as improving clinical results and patient experience, while reducing local and regional inequalities in care provision.

NICE clinical and public health director Peter Littlejohns said: “The decision to refer a patient to secondary care or specialist services is extremely important and is based on a variety of factors.”

“The NICE ‘referral advice’ recommendations database is a valuable resource for those providing and commissioning care on when patients should be referred on from primary care,” he added.