Each year a staggering 1.5million under-fives are admitted to hospital.
This includes emergency admissions for various conditions such as respiratory infections, asthma, gastroenteritis and accidents. Our babies and children are so precious to us. When they’re unwell, or involved in an accident we worry about what’s wrong and what we can do to help them. We want them to get better as soon as possible.
The most common time for children to be admitted to the hospital in the UK is during the winter months. This is often due to an increase in respiratory infections, asthma exacerbations, and other illnesses that are more prevalent during colder weather.
At North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, experts in the field are offering advice to parents and carers of how to keep your child well this winter and what to do if they do become unwell.
Katie Raine, Lead nurse for Children and Young People at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Having an ill child or dealing with a minor injury can be daunting, but parents are often best placed to help their child get better quickly. Understanding more about common childhood injuries or illnesses, and basic first aid skills, can help you decide what to do.”
Katie added: “Your local pharmacist is often a great place to start for help and advice, they are expertly trained and can offer advice or over the counter medication to help a range of ailments, or can point you in the right direction for further support. Pharmacists are often open longer than other NHS services, and can be in more convenient places.
“Health advice is available at any time by calling 111, or on the NHS Choices website or from your local GP.”
If parents do think their child is more seriously injured or ill, then they should seek medical advice as soon as possible at one of our Urgent Treatment Centres and of course our A&E Departments for emergency care.
Katie continued: “The Little Orange Book is great for parents a resource they can turn to if unsure about a whole host of common childhood illnesses, it contains advice and tips on how to manage these illnesses and problems that babies and young children often experience in the first 5 years of their lives. It also has information on more serious conditions, what to look out for and when to get help. I would encourage all parents and carers to take a look!”