Initial Acuity Assessment

CPD Sessions (open access):

About the Initial Acuity Assessment Model and Development

  1. NHSE Acuity Project Overview – Standardising Acuity Measurements in the ED. Dr Tom Hughes, NHSE Clinical Project Lead. 
  2. NHSE Acuity Project Update. Dr Tom Hughes and Sade Matakitoga, NHSE Assistant Head of Non-Admitted Pathways

How to Assess Initial Acuity Assessment using FEN’s Proformas

  1. How to Assess using FEN’s Minicex for Primary Assessment
  2. How to Assess using FEN’s Minicex for Secondary Assessment
  3. How to Assess using FEN’s ESLE for Primary Assessment Nurse
  4. How to Assess using FEN’s ESLE for Secondary Assessment Nurse 

CPD Sessions (Subscription Required)

FEN’s suite of Initial Acuity Assessment sessions provide a structured programme to support safe, effective Initial Acuity Assessment in practice.

    1. Introduction to Initial Assessment
    2. Primary Initial Assessment
    3. Secondary Initial Assessment
    4. Managing Initial Assessment
    5.  Considerations in Redirection 2

For those not already experienced in undertaking triage, additional training is required. FEN’s Clinical Programme of CPD sessions builds the confidence and capability required for safe practice in this role.

FEN subscription includes access to 200+ CPD sessions

Assessment Proformas (open access):

  1. Mini-cex for Primary Assessment
  2. Mini-Cex for Secondary Assessment 
  3. ESLE for Primary Assessment Nurse
  4. ESLE for Secondary Assessment Nurse
  5. Acuity Project Initial Assessment Audit Tool
  6. Link to FENs Assessment Other Proformas and Portfolio Tools

Other Useful Documents

Emergency Nurse Education and Study Standards (ENEST) Document

Safe staffing for nursing in A&E departments: the
full NICE safe staffing guideline

Initial Acuity Assessment – FEN Programme

The NHS England Initial Assessment Acuity Model continues to be adopted across Emergency Departments. The Faculty of Emergency Nursing (FEN) was a member of the national steering group responsible for its development and continues to endorse and recommend its use in practice.

FEN uses this model within our Initial Acuity Assessment CPD sessions and professional qualification, supporting consistent, safe practice in Emergency Care.

Supporting Evidence

Implementation of the Acuity approach has demonstrated:

  • Safer waiting rooms – reduction in patient safety incidents
  • Faster patient care – mean time to initial assessment reduced from 31 minutes to 11 minutes
  • Standardised processes – improved patient streaming and clinical pathway use
  • Professional support – recognised across professional bodies

Context for Practice

Delays in initial assessment and Emergency Department overcrowding remain key risks across acute healthcare providers.

The Acuity approach supports improvements in:

  • Patient safety
  • Patient experience
  • Staff experience

FEN Programme Offer

FEN supports Emergency Departments to implement and deliver the Initial Assessment Acuity Model through:

  • Initial Acuity Assessment CPD sessions
    A structured programme aligned to the NHS England Acuity approach
  • Clinical assessment tools
    Including Mini-CEX and ESLE to evidence competence in practice
  • Professional qualification (coming soon)
    The FEN Certificate in Advanced Initial Acuity Assessment, delivered at Advanced Practice (Level 7), supporting the development and recognition of advanced capability
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