NHSE said the guidance, which includes dedicated areas away from A&Es, was designed to cut waiting times, avoid corridor care and allow faster life-saving care for those who need it.

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘Too many patients are stuck waiting in overcrowded A&Es when they could be treated faster and more safely elsewhere.

‘This new model will put senior clinicians at the front door, get people the right care in the appropriate place and free up A&E to focus on life-saving treatment. It's a key part of our 10-Year Health Plan to shift care into the community and rebuild an NHS that works for patients again.'

The guidance sets out a whole hospital response to improving A&E patient flow to help emergency services reach the national target of 95% of A&E patients being admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.  

It includes extended emergency medicine ambulatory care areas (EEMAC) for patients requiring care, investigation or treatments in ED for over four hours who can then be discharged.

Hospitals are also encouraged to focus on better links with community teams and services which can help avoid patients coming to A&E in the first place and manage demand, such as Hospital@Home and community mental health services.