NICE - Public Health Guidance
NICE Public Health Guidance makes recommendations for populations and individuals on activities, policies and strategies that can help prevent disease or improve health. The guidance may focus on a particular topic (such as smoking), a particular population (such as schoolchildren) or a particular setting (such as the workplace).
Note
It is important to note that the advice contained within the guidance does not override or replace the individual responsibility of health professionals to make appropriate decisions in the circumstances of their individual patients, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer. This would, for example, include situations where individual patients have other conditions or complications that need to be taken into account in determining whether the NICE guidance is fully appropriate in their case.
DoH Process for Endorsement of Public Health Guidance
The Department has reviewed its process for the endorsement, implementation, monitoring and assurance of NICE Public Health Guidance in Northern Ireland. The arrangements for the endorsement, implementation, monitoring and assurance of NICE Public Health Guidance in Northern Ireland are detailed in the following circular, which is effective from 1st April 2022
For information, details of the previous arrangement can be found in the following circulars:
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dhssps/hsc-sqsd-31-14_0.pdf
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dhssps/HSC%20%28SQSD%29%2037-15.pdf
The following Public Health Guidance has been endorsed by DoH:
November 2025
November 2024
NG221 - Reducing sexually transmitted infections
May 2024
NG212 - Mental wellbeing at work
May 2023
NG223 - Social, emotional and mental wellbeing in primary and secondary education
April 2023
NG183 - Behaviour change: digital and mobile health interventions
March 2023
NG209 - Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence
‘Note this guidance updates and replaces NICE Public Health Guideline NG92, endorsed by the DoH in July 2018.’
July 2020
PH43 - Hepatitis B and C testing: people at risk of infection
February 2020
NG 146 - Workplace health: long-term sickness absence and capability to work
October 2019
NG 135 - Alcohol interventions in secondary and further education
October 2018
NG 103 - Flu vaccination: increasing uptake
July 2018
NG92 - Stop smoking interventions and services
‘Note this guidance has been updated and replaced by NG209 - Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence, endorsed by the DoH in March 2023.
June 2018
NG90 - Physical activity and the environment
January 2018
NG63 - Antimicrobial stewardship: changing risk-related behaviours in the general population
May 2017
NG60 - HIV testing: increasing uptake among people who may have undiagnosed HIV
PH51 - Contraceptive Services for Under 25s
NG64 - Drug misuse prevention: targeted interventions
NG68 - Sexually transmitted infections: condom distribution schemes
April 2017
January 2017
NG 55 - Harmful sexual behaviour in among children and young people
October 2016
NG 48 - Oral Health for Adults in Care Homes
September 2016
PH53 - Weight management: lifestyle services for overweight or obese adults - Note this guidance has been updated and replaced by NG246 - Overweight and obesity management, endorsed by the DoH in June 2025
- Note this guideline replaces section 1.1.7 of NICE Clinical Guideline CG43 endorsed by DoH in October 2008.
August 2016
PH52 - Needle and Syringe Programmes
PH54 - Physical activity: Exercise Referral Schemes
June 2016
PH 38 - Type 2 diabetes: prevention in people at high risk
PH55 - Oral Health: local authorities and partners
NG30 - Oral health promotion: general dental practice
NG32 - Older people: independence and mental wellbeing
May 2016
NG 13 - Workplace health: management practices
April 2016
PH56 - Vitamin D: increasing supplement use among at-risk groups
- Note this updates recommendation 1.3.2.4 in NICE guideline CG62 endorsed by DoH in October 2008
NG34 - Sunlight Exposure: Risks and Benefits
PH50 - Domestic violence and abuse: multi-agency working
PH35 - Type 2 diabetes prevention: population and community-level interventions
NG 44 - Community engagement: improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities
February 2016
NG6 - Excess winter deaths and morbidity and the health risks associated with cold homes
PH49 - Behaviour change: individual approaches
NG7 - Preventing excess weight gain - Note this guidance has been updated and replaced by NG246 - Overweight and obesity management, endorsed by the DoH in June 2025