A nurse measures a girl's oxygen saturation levelsImage source, Getty Images
ByMichelle RobertsDigital health editor
  • Published25 minutes ago

A new early warning system is being introduced in hospital emergency departments in England to help busy NHS staff identify sick children who are dangerously deteriorating.

It comes after Health Secretary Yvette Cooper promised to stop "corridor care" for sick children because of long waits for hospital beds.

The new National Paediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) asks staff to check, log and grade vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels.