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Goodbye to the “hello nurse” in casualty departments

BMJ 1997; 315 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.315.7101.143e (Published 19 July 1997) Cite this as: BMJ 1997;315:143
  1. Jacqui Wise
  1. BMJ

    The publication of figures showing how soon patients are assessed after arrival in accident and emergency units is to be abandoned as part of an overhaul of the NHS performance tables. Health ministers said that this would mean the end of the “hello nurse” employed in casualty departments by some trusts to ensure a good rating regardless of how long patients had to wait for treatment.

    The health secretary, Frank Dobson, announced that from 1 October there would be a new standard for assessment in casualty departments to ensure that patients are properly assessed and treated according to clinical priority. This was the first step towards developing a linked standard on total waiting time in accident and emergency units.

    The BMA said that it welcomed the move: …

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