AN engineer's views on how age should affect medical treatment will help form national policy.

Brian Brown, an electrical engineer from Chester-le-Street, is a member of the Citizens Council of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)

The independent council is made up of members of the public who socially and geographically represent Britain's population and is responsible for developing national guidance on treatments and care for the NHS in England and Wales.

Mr Brown took a lead role in developing a document on whether the age of a person should be taken into account when NICE is making a decision about how treatments should be used in the NHS.

Mr Brown said: "Many different viewpoints were put forward and there was a frank and open debate. Importantly, we all agree our first concerns are the people who use the NHS and we must work together to help NICE achieve the best possible outcomes for them."

When the council meets in November it will reach its final conclusions, taking into account views of children and young people collected during the summer.

The citizens council will also consider public opinions, which can be given by visiting the website www.visiontwentyone.co.uk.