NHS A&Es across England are to bring in the world's largest 'early warning system' to spot sick children this winter

NHS A&E departments across England will adopt the National Paediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) this winter — the first time it has been deployed in emergency settings after being confined until now to hospital wards. Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, said staff need to "spot quickly when a child's condition is deteriorating" and that the system ensures parents' and carers' concerns "can prompt action." England's A&Es handle more than six million child visits each year, and hospitals that have already introduced the charts for inpatients have seen fewer cardiac arrests.

PEWS scores vital signs — blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels and consciousness — with a high score triggering an immediate escalation of care.

The roll-out follows Health Secretary Yvette Cooper's apology to the family of Finlay Roberts, a two-year-old who died in 2024 after spending several hours lying in a hospital corridor.

Dr Mike McKean of the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health called the system "extremely important tools" for spotting deterioration across all child health teams.