See and treat is a model of care designed to reduce waits and improve the patient's experience in accident and emergency departments.

It has been one of the key innovations in improving the experience of patients presenting with less serious illness and injury.

Its aim is to assess and treat patients with minor complaints in order, as soon as they arrive, rather than asking them to wait.

It works from the key principle that the first clinician to see the patient is able to assess, treat and discharge that patient safely.

Over 150 type 1 A&E departments in England are now either testing or have implemented see and treat systems to treat patients with minor complaints.

Many sites have taken the key principles and made them fit to their environment and workforce. The information below gives consideration to the drivers behind the see and treat ethic and the variations of those principles now seen in clinical practice.