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NHS watchdog drafts plan to tackle A&E crisis

There should be enough nursing staff on duty in Accident and Emergency departments to have two registered nurses to one patient in cases of major trauma or cardiac arrest, according to guidance published today.

The guidance comes as accident and emergency departments in England saw 89.8% of patients within four hours in the week ending January 11, again failing to meet the 95% target.

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A&E nursing staff levels 'are important for safe care'

Ensuring enough nursing staff are available at A&E departments helps to make sure patients "get safe care," the director of clinical practice at Nice said.

Professor Mark Baker said of the NHS watchdog's draft guidelines published today:

Over 14 million people attended A&E departments in England last year. Nursing staff are often among the first to see patients and we know the care they provide is essential for successful treatment of every patient.

Ensuring there are enough available nursing staff, with the right skills, helps to make sure people in need of immediate medical help will get safe care, whatever the time of day or night.

– Professor Mark Baker.

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