The final window for suggestions for new indicators in the 2012/13 framework was announced by NICE this week.

The online topic suggestion forum will allow GP and other health professionals, as well as patients, community groups and other interested parties to contribute to the development of the new framework.

Suggestions will be vetted once this window has closed, with suitable topics passed to an independent advisory committee to be added to a national ‘menu' of potential indicators.

NICE implementation director Val Moore said she ‘recognised the importance' of ensuring stakeholders had an opportunity to contribute within the process, and that the organisation ‘actively encourages' feedback.

‘For this reason NICE has set up the online topic suggestion facility to allow stakeholders to submit their own ideas for new areas for indicator development,' she said.

In August 2011, NICE will issue potential indicators for 2012/13 with recommendations on indicators to be considered for retirement.

The final decision on the indicators included in the QOF will be decided by NHS Employers and the GPC.