title: It's time for consensus on the future of the NHS.
abstract: Guidance on the number of nurses needed in A&E departments was issued last week by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). No nurse should have to look after more than four patients - and only two if their conditions are more serious. The guidance is out for consultation, but hospital managers would be well advised to take heed straightaway.
mesh_terms: D032921:Consensus; D006801:Humans; D061214:Patient Safety / Q000592:standards; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics; D006113:United Kingdom