UEC providers are being encouraged to display a new GIRFT poster supporting them to recognise, document and escalate delays arising from non‑adherence to GIRFT’s Clinical Operational Standards or Internal Professional Standards.
The new GIRFT tool can be downloaded for display on wards, in assessment units, receiving areas and emergency departments. It includes space for a trust-specific QR code, linked to a local reporting form, helping to make reporting quick, easy and consistent*.
The aim is that reporting delays enables trusts to capture themes, track issues and learn from the feedback to drive improvements in patient pathways.
The poster tool follows on from the GIRFT Clinical Operational Standards guide in 2025, which presents a framework for clinicians to help improve performance against urgent and emergency care targets and ensure the efficient flow of patients through hospitals.
The standards describe how staff are expected to work – including the actions and responses required, and associated timeframes – to deliver optimal patient care.
Reporting non-adherence via the QR code on the poster can support teams to identify recurring barriers, strengthen departmental accountability and implement targeted improvements that enhance patient flow and care quality.
GIRFT has also developed an implementation guide to support monitoring and feedback of the Clinical Operational Standards (COS), which outlines a practical approach to implementing a COS monitoring tool to reduce variation and drive improvement. Providers are advised to refer to this and the main COS guidance to ensure the escalation process is aligned with the wider COS framework.
The poster tool also links in with GIRFT’s recent Corridor Care improvement guide, which includes a recommendation to leaders that trust COS are agreed, including clear escalation pathways where standards are not met.
The GIRFT UEC team is available to support providers in adopting the tool and embedding COS‑aligned practices across their hospitals. Email england.girftuec@nhs.net if you would like further support.
* The QR code shown on the poster is an example only. Each trust must generate and embed its own QR code linked to its locally created reporting form.
