Patients answer questions about why they have come to hospital and the symptoms they have. Based on this, the service directs them appropriately. This could mean being seen in the A&E or directing or referring people to other urgent care services in the area.

The service has been commissioned as part of the 111 First initiative, which encourages everyone with an urgent health concern to visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 to find out the best place to get help. This will involve getting a booked arrival time if appropriate, which will help reduce unnecessary attendances at A&E during the coronavirus outbreak and enable social distancing.

The streaming tool is designed to provide help and direction for patients who did not contact a 111 service beforehand and have arrived at a hospital A&E with no pre-booked arrival time.