Box 5.

Key attributes of successful same-day emergency care units

  • A dedicated unit with adequate capacity of space and staff

  • 7-day working over extended periods

  • Multidisciplinary workforce

  • Consultant-led

  • Straightforward access from referring clinicians

  • Able to give short term treatments and perform procedures

  • Rapid access to investigations and results

  • A focus on patients who are likely to not need to stay in hospital

  • Not compromised by becoming bedded at times of hospital pressure

  • Monitoring performance data and adjusting processes accordingly