Accident and Emergency Departments

The safety of patients waiting in accident and emergency is of the highest priority, and we have set out various measures in national guidance. There is a national target that patients receive an initial assessment within 15 minutes of arrival in accident and emergency. This assessment considers patient acuity, ensuring those that are most unwell and at greatest risk are identified and prioritised. Patients should be then observed at clinically appropriate intervals to identify any deterioration, with specific arrangements determined through local clinical decision making and governance.

The National Health Service and the Department have taken significant steps forward to improve patient safety, including by implementing significant programmes under the NHS Patient Safety Strategy, published in 2019.

We are also introducing new clinical operational standards for the first 72 hours of care. These are largely focused on the period after patients leave emergency departments, setting clear expectations for timely reviews and specialist input, but also provide guidance on early assessment and monitoring of older people for frailty and delirium.