NHSE’s ‘model A&E’ delayed after ‘real world value’ questioned

Senior leaders have been drafted in to draw up NHS England’s new blueprint for A&Es, following internal criticism of the highly anticipated guidance.

NHSE has been working on a new plan for accidents and emegencies – titled the “model emergency department” – to outline how they can achieve the “ambitious” targets for four hours performance, as outlined in the medium-term planning guidance.

In October, NHSE had promised the ‘model ED’ blueprint would be published “soon”, but HSJ understands the process has stalled following internal criticism.

HSJ understands Birju Bartoli, chief executive of Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust, and Emma Rowland, chief operating officer at Homerton Healthcare FT, are among the senior figures drafted in by NHSE to work on the “model ED” policy.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is also understood to have privately raised concerns about the “model ED”, including over a lack of any new money for emergency departments.

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Source: HSJ, 15 January 2026