Paediatric Emergency

When a child is suddenly unwell or hurt, you want to be seen quickly by people who treat children every day. Our emergency teams work alongside paediatric specialists, so an unwell or injured child is assessed fast and cared for by people used to treating children, day or night.

What is paediatric emergency care?

Paediatric emergency care is the urgent assessment and treatment of children who are suddenly unwell or injured. It covers sudden illness, such as high fevers and breathing problems, and injuries such as broken bones and burns. The team works out how serious the problem is, treats it, and keeps a child for observation or admits those who need to stay. It works alongside your GP, who looks after everyday illness, routine care and follow-up.

When should you bring your child to the emergency department?

Bring your child to the emergency department if they have:

• Breathing that is fast, noisy or a struggle
• A high fever in a baby under 3 months
• A fit or seizure
• A rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
• A deep cut, a serious burn or a possible broken bone
• Drowsiness, floppiness or being very hard to wake

If your child is struggling to breathe, will not wake, or turns pale, blue or mottled, call 998 for an ambulance without delay.

Not every worry needs the emergency department. For mild coughs, colds and everyday illness, your GP or a clinic is often the right place to start, and they can refer your child on if needed. The emergency department is open to everyone without an appointment or referral, and it's the right choice when a problem is serious, comes on fast or cannot wait. Trust what you see in your child, and act on a change that worries you. If you're unsure how serious something is, it's better to have your child checked.

What to expect

When you arrive, a nurse checks your child straight away to see how urgent things are, so the sickest children are seen first. This first check is called triage. A doctor then examines your child and asks what has been happening. Depending on the problem, your child might have their temperature and oxygen levels checked, or need an X-ray or a urine test.

Treatment depends on what the team finds. Some children need fluids for dehydration, help with their breathing, or medicine to lower a fever. Injuries are treated too, with wounds cleaned and closed and broken bones supported while they heal. Your child may stay for a few hours for observation before going home. Before you leave, the team explains what they found and when to seek more help.

Paediatric emergency at Mediclinic

Our emergency departments are open around the clock, every day of the year, for children as well as adults. When a child needs more than emergency treatment, our teams can call on paediatricians across the hospital and admit your child when staying in is the safest step. Our teams handle the everyday emergencies of childhood, such as breathing difficulties, high fevers and injuries.