Children’s A&E care gets new warning system as NHS rolls out PEWS
The NHS will introduce the National Paediatric Early Warning System in all emergency departments, extending a tool already used in children’s wards to help staff spot rapid deterioration.
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The Department of Health announced on 29 July 2026 that the National Paediatric Early Warning System will be rolled out to all emergency departments in England. The move follows a pledge by Health Secretary Yvette Cooper to end prolonged corridor care for children.
Why the system is being expanded
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BBC News reported that more than 90 hospitals have already applied the alert tool on paediatric wards, using age‑specific scores to trigger rapid response when a child’s vital signs deteriorate. Extending the same approach to A&E aims to catch serious illness earlier, especially during winter pressure.
"No child should be treated in a corridor. No patient should be treated in a corridor."
Yvette Cooper, Health Secretary (BBC)
Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, told the BBC that the standardised approach will help staff recognise warning signs, communicate concerns and make timely decisions when every moment matters.
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Questions this report answers
+What is the new system being introduced?
The National Paediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) will be installed in every emergency department in England. It requires staff to record and grade vital signs, with high scores prompting immediate escalation of care for children whose condition is worsening.
+Which hospitals have already used the system?
BBC News said more than 90 hospitals across England have been using the PEWS alert system on children’s wards. Those hospitals have employed age‑appropriate assessments to identify ill children before the national rollout to A&E.
+What did the Health Secretary say about corridor care?
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper apologised to the parents of Finlay Roberts, saying, "No child should be treated in a corridor. No patient should be treated in a corridor," as reported by the BBC. The comment followed a high‑profile death after a corridor stay.
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