Dr Walters told the meeting this morning that the decision to delay the consultation had been made in discussion with the post-registration standards steering group, which involves external nursing experts and stakeholders. “The steering group were concerned that the pandemic might affect the ability of professionals to respond [to the consultation], particularly the frontline professionals,” she said. Geraldine Walters She added: “We think the earliest that we would be able to consult would be March, but it could be later. "We would hope that we could consult soon after Easter at the latest, but that will depend on the progress of the pandemic.