Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, on what dates his Department held discussions with NICE on the decision by that body to publish guidance on A&E staffing levels.

There are regular communications between the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Department on all its programmes.

NICE was asked in November 2013 to develop a number of guidelines on safe staffing including accident and emergency.

On 16 July, my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced that NHS Improvement will have safety and quality at the heart of the organisation's remit and Dr Mike Durkin's safety function will move there.

One of Dr Durkin's early priorities will be working with the Chief Nursing Officer to complete the work started by NICE on safe staffing levels.

This will be independently reviewed by NICE, the Chief Inspector of hospitals, and Sir Robert Francis to ensure it meets the high standards of care the National Health Service aspires to.