VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Anxiety: Medical Treatments

Asked by Adam DanceLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 19 March 2026UIN 119641

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of updating National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on anxiety.

Answered by Dr Zubir Ahmed

The Government has made no such assessment. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines are developed independently by experts based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and through extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. They represent best practice and healthcare professionals are expected to take them fully into account in the care and treatment of their patients. NICE keeps its guidance under active surveillance and decisions on whether published guidelines should be updated in light of new evidence are taken by the NICE prioritisation board, chaired by the NICE Chief Medical Officer, in line with its published prioritisation framework. There are currently no plans to update the guideline on generalised anxiety or panic disorder.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim