Health Building Note 15-01: Accident & emergency departments Planning and design guidance

This guidance is aimed at the multidisciplinary team including clinicians, design teams, estates planners and managers involved in the strategic and operational planning of an accident & emergency (A&E) service and built space. It sets out the strategic background, uncertainties and evidence-base for key decisions that need to be made in the design and planning of a new or refurbished A&E department. Type 1 A&E is defined as “a consultant-led 24-hour service with full resuscitation facilities and designated accommodation for the reception of accident and emergency patients”. The four key components crucial to the success of a new build or refurbishment are: a. design; b. processes; c. communication and d. the ability to change.