The aim of the Department of Health is to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Ireland by: – keeping people healthy – providing the heatlhcare people need – delivering high quality services and – getting best value from health system resources. The Clinical Effectiveness Unit is part of the Department of Health. Clinical effectiveness is a key component of patient safety and quality. The integration of best available evidence in service provision through using clinical effectiveness processes promotes healthcare that is up to date, effective and consistent. Clinical effectiveness processes include guidelines, audit and practice guidance. The Clinical Effectiveness Unit supports the NCEC (National Clinical Effectiveness Committee) established by the Minister for Health.