Taking a child to A&E
Children are seen in order of urgency like everyone else, but paediatric triage uses different signs. This is the short version for a worried parent.
Call 999 now if your child
- is struggling to breathe, grunting, or their tummy sucks in under the ribs
- is blue, grey or very pale, or has cold hands and feet with a fever
- is floppy, hard to wake, or will not stay awake
- has a fit, or a rash that does not fade when a glass is pressed on it
- has a serious injury, a burn larger than their hand, or has swallowed something dangerous
Go to A&E, or call 111 for the fastest route, if
- a baby under 3 months has a temperature of 38C or above, or under 6 months 39C or above
- there is a possible broken bone, a cut that gapes, or a head injury with vomiting or drowsiness
- they have had diarrhoea and vomiting and are not passing urine, have a dry mouth or no tears
- a fever lasts more than five days, or they are getting worse rather than better
A pharmacist or GP is quicker and right for
- colds, coughs and mild fevers that come down with paracetamol or ibuprofen
- earache, sore throats, most rashes, conjunctivitis, threadworms
- small cuts and grazes, minor bumps with no other signs
Children's A&E departments in England
From NHS England's site list, with the share seen within 4 hours in September 2026. Many other hospitals have a children's area inside the main A&E.
- Birmingham Children's Hospital - Accident & Emergency Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, 74% within 4 hours
- Bristol Royal Hospital For Children University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, 88% within 4 hours
- Moorfields At Richard Desmond Children's Eye Centre Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, 91% within 4 hours
- Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, 86% within 4 hours
- Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, 85% within 4 hours
- Sheffield Childrens Hospital Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, 90% within 4 hours