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Parents urged to know where to seek help as seasonal illnesses start to circulate
Parents and carers are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the signs of serious childhood illness and where to access the right healthcare support as seasonal illnesses begin to circulate and children settle back into school following the summer holidays.
Health professionals often see an increase in seasonal illnesses and demand on children's services in the weeks following the start of the new school term and again following the Christmas break. To help families make informed decisions when their child is unwell, Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust is promoting its traffic light symptom checker, which provides advice on when symptoms can be managed at home, when to seek help from a GP or NHS 111, and when urgent or emergency care is needed.
The resource also outlines the most appropriate services to access depending on a child's symptoms, helping families get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Dr Claire Davidson, Consultant Paediatrician and Head of Clinical Service for Paediatrics at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, said: "As children settle back into school routines, it is common to see a rise in seasonal illnesses and infections. While most childhood illnesses can be safely managed at home or with advice from a healthcare professional, it is important that parents and carers know the signs that indicate a child may need urgent medical attention."Our traffic light symptom checker is designed to support families by providing clear, practical advice on what to look out for and where to seek help. We would always encourage parents to trust their instincts. If you are worried that your child is seriously unwell, seek emergency medical help immediately."For less serious illnesses, parents and carers can access trusted advice from their local pharmacist or through the Healthier Together website, which can help families feel confident caring for their child and understanding when further medical advice may be needed."
Parents and carers are reminded that Dewsbury and District Hospital's Children's Assessment Unit is open from 10am to 10pm, seven days a week. Please be aware that there are no paediatric specialist services available at Dewsbury outside these hours. If your child becomes seriously unwell after 10pm, call 999 for an ambulance, which will take your child to Pinderfields Hospital, where paediatric specialist services are available 24 hours a day. Alternatively, you can attend Pinderfields Hospital Emergency Department directly.
The Trust is encouraging families to take a few moments to review the symptom checker now, helping them feel confident about where to seek support when needed.
For more information and to access the traffic light symptom checker, visit: bit.ly/MYTTunwellchild .