§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy that nurses are not hired solely to greet patients within five minutes of arrival in casualty departments. [38321]
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§ Mr. HoramThe patients charter states that patients going to an accident and emergency department can expect to be seen immediately and have their need for treatment assessed. In the period January to April 1996, 94 per cent. of such patients were assessed within five minutes. This patients charter standard has resulted in improved standards of practice and patient satisfaction. However, many clinicians would like this standard to be refined to fit more closely with clinical practice and a revised standard is being developed after consultation with the national health service.