About us
SIGN makes sense of evidence. We respond to the needs of the people of Scotland by involving them to create trusted evidence-based guidance to support decision-making. Our purpose is leading and innovating to create accessible recommendations that improve care in Scotland.
We collaborate with health and social care professionals, patient organisations and individuals to produce evidence-based guidelines.
We systematically review the scientific literature to aid the translation of new knowledge into action.
Our guidelines:
- help health and social care professionals and patients understand medical evidence and use it to make decisions about healthcare
- reduce unwarranted variations in practice and make sure patients get the best care available, no matter where they live
- improve healthcare across Scotland by focusing on patient-important outcomes.
Our patient booklets explain the recommendations in the clinical guideline and help make patients aware of the treatment they should expect to receive. They:
- help patients and carers understand the latest evidence about diagnosis, treatment and self-care
- empower patients to participate fully in decisions about management of their condition in discussion with healthcare professionals
- highlight where there are areas of uncertainty in the management of their condition.
Membership
The membership of SIGN includes all the medical specialties, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, professions allied to medicine, patients, health service managers, social services, and researchers. An Executive, who are members of staff of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, supports the work of SIGN.
Funding
SIGN is part of the Evidence Directorate of Healthcare Improvement Scotland and core funding supports the SIGN guideline programme. SIGN is editorially independent from Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Scottish Government which funds Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
Members of SIGN guideline development groups do not receive payment for their participation, although independent practitioners and patient representatives claim expenses.
Influence of financial and other interests
All individuals involved in the SIGN guideline development process must declare any competing interests (financial and non-financial) on an annual basis according to our Policy on Declaration of Competing Interests.
Signed copies are retained by the SIGN Executive and are available on the SIGN website.