Guidelines

A clinical guideline makes recommendations for effective practice based on the best current evidence.  Guidelines are developed to inform diagnosis, management and treatment of specific diseases and areas of health care. They also help standardise care, improve quality, reduce risk to patients and providers alike, and achieve the best balance between cost and  effectiveness.  

  • The RCN leads in the development of guidelines relating specifically to nursing practice and acts as a stakeholder in work with a number of other professional organisations.  You can read or download all RCN guidelines related to emergency care in this section. Read more >  

You can also access relevant guidelines from UK-wide government agencies plus other royal colleges, charities and voluntary organisations: 

  • NICE issues guidance to the NHS in England and Wales on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health…
  • SIGN, part of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland,  develops and disseminates national clinical guidelines via each NHS Board…  
  • Guidelines and Audit Implementation Network (GAIN) is the clinical and social care regional audit and guidelines body for Northern Ireland, formed after the …
  • The Meningitis Research Foundation funds a range of  guidance notes, educational tools and treatment algorithms for health professionals to promote early recognition …