New NHS system for children in England that 'all parents need to know about'

NHS England is set to roll out a new system for severe child illnesses across A&E departments – and it's crucial to know what this means as a parent. The new rollout, known as Paediatric Early Warning System (PEWS), will operate in hospital emergency departments across England to help NHS staff identify sick children whose conditions are dangerously worsening. This initiative is intended to save lives ahead of winter, when pressure on the NHS is at its highest. Now one child doctor has issued an urgent message about the changes which "all parents need to know about". In an Instagram post, Dr Sahil Nichani, a paediatric doctor, sent an urgent alert about the new NHS patient safety initiative, which is set to roll out this winter, and what it means for your child's health. He said: "So there's a new NHS patient safety initiative that's being rolled out in A&E departments across England and I want all parents to know about it. "It's called the Paediatric Early Warning System or PEWS and it's designed to help identify children who are becoming seriously unwell before it's too late. "Under this system, healthcare professionals use a standardised approach to monitor children, looking at their heart rate, breathing rate, their oxygen levels and other signs of deterioration." He said the important aspect of it is that parental concerns can be part of the escalation process because they're "the first person to notice something isn't right". The doctor added: "Imagine you brought your child to A&E because they've been unwell. They've been assessed and now you're sitting in the waiting room, but over the next hour, your child becomes more sleepy, they start to breathe differently or they're just not themselves. "Previously, some parents may have felt they had to wait until their child was called but you should never wait quietly if you think your child is getting worse. "If you're concerned, go to a member of staff and say 'I'm worried that my child is deteriorating, they're not behaving normally and I'd like them to be reassessed urgently'. "You don't need to know what their heart rate is or oxygen levels to know something isn't quite right. And you shouldn't feel uncomfortable about raising concerns because as a paediatric doctor, we understand the medicine but you understand your child. And the safety healthcare happens when we listen to both." The new system will be rolled out in emergency departments late 2026. It aims to improve patient safety by giving healthcare staff a consistent way to monitor children's health and recognise signs of deterioration. Doctors and nurses will be able to assess vital signs, like blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rates, oxygen levels and consciousness, and flag to medical staff when a child is deteriorating. NHS England said it was not designed to replace professional judgment or the input of parents, carers and children into a child's condition. It is also developing new standards for children's treatment in A&E, with plans to make eliminating corridor care for young patients a priority. The overall aim is to ensure seriously ill children are recognised sooner, concerns are taken seriously, and treatment is provided without unnecessary delays. What to do if my child is unwell? As a parent, you'll know when something doesn't feel right about your child. If there's any difficulty with breathing or their stomach is sucking in hard under their ribs, call 999 or go to A&E urgently. Keep an eye on their skin colour, whether a rash is developing, and if they're unable to respond or stay awake. Also check if a baby under 3 months old has a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, or a tot between 3 to 6 months old with a temperature of 39°C (102.2°F) or higher. If it's not an immediate emergency, you can call 111 or go to NHS 111 online for 24-hour medical guidance. You can also contact your local GP for an appointment or phone advice. You could care for your child at home, if it's a mild illness. Ensure they get plenty of rest, hydration, comfort and keep the temperature of the room comfortable. Keep them home from school or nursery if they have a fever or feel too weak. Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings