Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:
The NHS very simply set out when you should call 999 or go to A&E (We recommend everyone becomes familiar with their list).
Below in the frequently asked questions there is much more detail so you can understand some of the serious conditions and key symptoms which could indicate an emergency.
If you are not sure you can call 111: When to use 111 When to use NHS 111 – NHS
The traffic light system (with red, orange and green coloured tables) is used for identifying risk of serious illness in common presentations such as with fever (high temperature), rashes, difficulty breathing, accidents and more. The red table for each presentation includes features which would suggest urgent help is needed at a hospital emergency (A&E) department.
From Healthier Together – What 0 to 18
provides excellent simple information including the traffic light system covering the ages 0 to 18. This is a good place to start. Scroll down each page to find the traffic light system information.
For full details see under
If you are not sure whether you should call 999 (or go to A&E) or instead ask for an urgent GP appointment then 111 can advise you
As the NHS suggests
NHS 111 can help if you think you need medical help right now
These are cover separately under
The purpose of this section is to cover some of the common emergency conditions, divided up by symptoms and signs, for which you should act immediately. This is not an exhaustive list so if you are not sure call 111.
As the NHS points out
“Call 999 for an ambulance if someone suddenly becomes confused. Many of the causes of sudden confusion need assessment and treatment as soon as possible. In some cases, it may be life threatening.”
As the NHS suggests for sepsis:
For a baby or young child with sepsis you may notice
The NHS choices article expands on the symptoms and signs of sepsis. If you think your child has sepsis call 999. Sepsis Symptoms of sepsis – NHS .For more information on sepsis see under Spotting Sepsis.
Also consider confusion after a head injury as a reason to call 999
As the NHS suggests after a head injury
“Symptoms of a subdural haematoma can include:
The symptoms can develop soon after a severe head injury (acute subdural haematoma), or very occasionally a few days or weeks after a more minor head injury (subacute or chronic subdural haematoma).”
If you develop the symptoms above any time after a minor head injury, you should also go to your nearest A&E department or call 999 for an ambulance as soon as possible.” Subdural haematoma Subdural haematoma – NHS
Infections causing serious illness are not common but knowing what you are looking for can ensure you attend A&E at the right time.
As the NHS points out in most cases of high temperature “you can usually look after your child or baby at home. The temperature should go down over 3 or 4 days.“
There are occasional situations when a high temperature is combined with other symptoms and you should then attend A&E.
“Call 999 if your child:
There is more information about controlling a temperature and also when you should go to your GP for an assessment in the article “High temperature” (e.g., Temperature over 38 if under 3 months, temperature over 39 if age between 3-6 months)
As the NHS suggests for sepsis:
Call 999 or go to A&E if a baby or young child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
Call 999 if an older child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
For more information on sepsis see under Spotting Sepsis.
Some rare but important conditions always need an urgent response
When you should attend A&E is explained in more detail under each infection
Under and over Heating unrelated to infection
When to call 999 for
Shortness of breath when combined with other symptoms or signs may indicate a need to call 999 or go to A&E. Some important examples included by NHS choices include:
As the NHS suggest
“Most cases are mild and clear up within 2 to 3 weeks without the need for treatment, although some children have severe symptoms and need hospital treatment.”
“While it’s unusual for children to need hospital treatment for bronchiolitis, the symptoms can get worse very quickly.”
Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if:
your child has difficulty breathing or exhaustion from trying to breathe (you may see the muscles under their ribs sucking in with each breath, they may be grunting with the effort of trying to breathe, or they may be pale and sweaty)
The term given to “muscles under the ribs sucking in with each breath” is called intercostal recession and this can be clearly seen in the attached link which includes a number of the other common signs of serious respiratory distress Signs of Respiratory Distress in Children – Physiopedia
As the NHS suggests
“Croup is a common childhood condition that mainly affects babies’ and young children’s airways. It’s usually mild. “
However, on rare occasions when you might need to attend A&E it is worth understanding what to look for
Call 999 if:
Stridor with Intercostal recession and abdominal movement can clearly be seen in the attached link which includes a number of the other common signs of serious respiratory distress Signs of Respiratory Distress in Children – Physiopedia
“Call 999 for an ambulance if someone you care for:
As the NHS suggests one of the symptoms of sepsis can be:
For more information on sepsis see under Spotting Sepsis.
Call 999 for anaphylaxis which symptoms might include “breathing difficulties – such as fast, shallow breathing and wheeze”
As the NHS suggests
“Anaphylaxis usually develops suddenly and gets worse very quickly.
The symptoms include:
There are a number of common conditions relating to the chest which may need an emergency response including
Asthma (includes when to call 999) Asthma – Asthma attacks – NHS
An overview of Shortness of breath including less serious causes of shortness of breath (such as panic attack) are included here: Shortness of breath Shortness of breath – NHS.
As the NHS suggests
You should call 999 for an ambulance if you know it’s their first seizure or it’s lasting longer than 5 minutes.
As the NHS suggests call 999:
“Someone faints and they:
As the NHS suggests
“Call 999 for an ambulance if someone has paralysis or weakness that:
Pain in certain situations or when combined with other symptoms or signs may indicate an emergency response is needed and calling 999. Some important examples included by NHS choices include:
As the NHS suggests after a head injury:
“Symptoms of a subdural haematoma can include:
The symptoms can develop soon after a severe head injury (acute subdural haematoma), or very occasionally a few days or weeks after a more minor head injury (subacute or chronic subdural haematoma). If your child develops the symptoms above any time after a minor head injury, you should also go to your nearest A&E department or call 999 for an ambulance as soon as possible.” Subdural haematoma Subdural haematoma – NHS
NHS choices provide an overview of serious symptoms and signs associated with a headache which indicate you should attend A&E
As the NHS suggests:
Call 999 or go to A&E if your child:
Your child has an extremely painful headache and:
Also call 999 or go to A&E if your child is under 12 and has any 1 of the following:
From the NHS
What symptoms might mean your child has a serious cause for their abdominal pain and when should you call 999 or attend A&E rather than making an appointment with your GP. This is explained further here
As the NHS suggests
“Go to A&E immediately or call 999 if you have:
Certain fractures should always be treated in A&E which is explained below
As the NHS suggests
“Always call 999 for very severe suspected breaks, such as a broken neck or back.”
“Go to your nearest A&E for a broken arm or leg. Call 999 for an ambulance if the injury to the leg seems severe or you’re not able to get to A&E quickly.”
As part of some conditions there can be skin changes (changes in colouring, swelling, rashes) which can indicate with the other symptoms that attendance at A&E is required immediately.
As the NHS suggests
“Call 999 or go to A&E if:
As Meningitis Now suggests
“People with septicaemia may develop a red rash of tiny ‘pin pricks’, which can develop into purple bruising. This rash does not fade under pressure.”
The skin changes of anaphylaxis on their own do not necessarily in themselves indicate a serious condition, it is the combination of the skin changes with the other symptoms of anaphylaxis (such as difficulty swallowing, difficulty in breathing and confusion) which can give the clue to anaphylaxis.
As the Anaphylaxis Campaign suggest the skin changes might include
From the NHS
Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis – NHS
In the majority of cases of cellulitis, these can be treated just by your GP, but on occasions you should attend A&E. This is when the rash of cellulitis (examples shown in the article from NHS choices) is combined with other symptoms which may suggest sepsis.
As the NHS suggests:
“Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have cellulitis with:
In an ill child, call 999 if the skin changes of sepsis (highlighted below) occur
As the NHS suggests for sepsis:
Call 999 if a baby or young child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
Call 999 if an older child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
For more information on sepsis see under Spotting Sepsis.
Vomiting on its own does not necessarily indicate a very serious condition but on occasions when they are combined with other symptoms or signs this can mean attendance at A&E is required.
As the NHS suggests
“Dehydration means your body loses more fluids than you take in. If it’s not treated, it can get worse and become a serious problem.”
In the general population babies, children are more at risk of dehydration.
Take your baby or child to the GP urgently or go to A&E if they:
The articles below also suggest how you can reduce the risk of dehydration
As the NHS suggest
“DKA mainly affects people with type 1 diabetes, but can sometimes affect people with type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, it’s important to be aware of the risk and know what to do if you get DKA.
You can get DKA if you have high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) and a high level of ketones in your blood or urine.” NHS expands on the symptoms and diagnosis in their article
Diabetic ketoacidosis Diabetic ketoacidosis – NHS – NHS
As NHS choices suggest:
“Go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you have DKA, especially if you have a high level of ketones in your blood or urine. DKA is an emergency and needs to be treated in hospital immediately.”
Importantly it is the other symptoms which indicate a serious condition, so look for these other symptoms
Vomiting does not necessarily need to be part of the following serious conditions but can be:
Call 999 if you have severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.
Bleeding in certain situations or when combined with other symptoms or signs may indicate an emergency response is needed and calling 999. If you are not sure call 111. An example includes:
As the NHS suggests if “your nosebleed lasts longer than 10 to 15 minutes or seems excessive” you should attend A&E. The reasons to attend A&E with a nose bleed are expanded on in the following article: Nosebleed Nosebleed – NHS.
Certain fractures should always be treated in A&E which is explained below
As the NHS suggests
“Always call 999 for very severe suspected breaks, such as a broken neck or back.”
“Go to your nearest A&E for a broken arm or leg. Call 999 for an ambulance if the injury to the leg seems severe or you’re not able to get to A&E quickly.”
Injuries which include certain features should also be assessed in A&E which is elaborated on here:
From Patient info and NICE
Head Injuries
As the NHS suggests
“Go to a hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department for:
As the NHS suggests
Call 999 and ask for urgent help for the following
Acid and chemical burns Acid and chemical burns – NHS
Though as explained in the article, minor eye injuries can be treated at home, any serious injury (including high speed injuries with power tools, hammers and lawn mowers) should be assessed in an eye casualty so call 999 for urgent help (remember they can tell you where your closest open eye casualty is)
Eye injuries Eye injuries – NHS,
As the NHS suggest
“Call 999 in a mental health emergency including if someone has seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose”
When to call 999 When to call 999 – NHS
As the NHS suggest
“If they’re showing signs of being seriously ill, dial 999 to request an ambulance or take them to your local A&E department.”
Symptoms associated with serious poisoning include:
What symptoms and signs might indicate your child is seriously ill and you need to take immediate action. This is explained further under
Having some basic knowledge of the symptoms and signs of sepsis can allow you to identify when someone is becoming seriously ill and take immediate action. This is explained under
For information on reducing the risk of accidents for children see under
As the NHS suggest
“Young children sometimes have injuries and accidents. Most are minor, but it’s a good idea to know what to do if the accident or injury is more serious. Start by learning some basic first aid, or revise what you already know.”
“What to do if your child has an accident.” The NHS website. Retrieved 5/2/2024
Learn how to give first aid