We see about 50,000 children each year with medical, surgical and mental health emergencies. We are also a designated regional Paediatric Major Trauma Centre and see severely injured children from Manchester and across the North West region. We provide support and advice to our local District General Hospitals caring for patients in their area.
Young people over the age of 16 years will need to attend an Adult Emergency department.
How to find us
To access the Paediatric Emergency Department by car, enter the hospital site from the Hathersage Road entrance, where there is Hathersage Road car park and a drop off facility. The postcode is M13 0FH.
What to expect when you come to the Paediatric Emergency Department
You will be directed to reception when you arrive where your child will be registered.
Triage
Every child who comes to the Paediatric Emergency Department will be triaged, so that patients can be seen in order of priority. The triage nurse will ask some questions and do some observations such as heart rate and oxygen saturations. They will then assign a triage category, and depending on the urgency of your presentation, you may be asked to have a seat in the waiting room.
Green – we feel your child is safe to wait for a consultation. These children may wait the longest.
Yellow – your child needs to be seen and will be prioritised but there may still be a wait
Orange – your child needs to be seen urgently. They will be seen as soon as a clinician is available and may be taken into a cubicle to wait.
Red – your child is very unwell and needs to be seen immediately.
When the department is busy and there are long waits, some families may be re-directed from triage to other services, such as the Acute Children’s Treatment Service.
Waiting
We understand long waits can be frustrating. In our department the sickest children will always be seen first. Some of the sickest children may arrive via a different entrance so you may not be aware of their arrival in the department.
This means that, no matter how worried you are about your child, if you are presenting with a minor problem you may have to wait for some time. At peak times, the department gets very busy and this may mean long waiting times. If you are waiting and are getting increasingly worried about your child you should let a member of staff know.
There are two main waiting areas: Purple zone and Orange zone.
Being seen
Children are seen in order of priority and will be assessed by either one of our doctors or an Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
After being seen, you may be asked to return to the waiting room instead of staying in a cubicle.
Leaving
After being seen you will be either discharged home or admitted to the hospital. You may be asked to stay for further tests or a period of observation. If that is the case you may be moved to the Children’s Clinical Decision Unit (CCDU), which is part of the Paediatric Emergency Department.
If you are discharged home, your GP will receive an electronic copy of your discharge letter. If your child needs an attendance note for school, this can be supplied by the PED reception staff.
If you decide to take your child home before they have been seen or discharged, please inform a member of staff so we can check it is safe to do so. We will then provide you with safety netting advice and an information leaflet.
What to expect if you come to the Paediatric Emergency Department with a mental health problem
Triage
First you will be seen by a nurse who will ask you about the problems you are having including very personal questions about how you are feeling, which often includes asking about suicidal thoughts. We know that these are hard questions to answer, but it is important to try to share as much as possible.
Being Seen Twice
You may be seen by both the Mental Health Team and the medical team. The Mental Health Team will go into greater depth with you about your thoughts and feelings, but sometimes you will be asked the same questions by both teams and this is normal.
Waiting
The Mental Health Team are not based in our hospital so there may be a longer wait for them than the medical team. If you prefer, we have a quiet side room where you can wait. There are many resources that can be helpful for anxiety, low mood and dark thoughts; it may be helpful to access these whilst waiting.
Sensitive Information
Doctors and Nurses have a duty to be non-judgemental, and we treat information given to us as strictly confidential, only sharing it where absolutely necessary for your care. We treat every child or young person with respect and include them as far as possible in decisions that affect them. Young people are entitled to know what information will be shared and with whom.
We may ask parents or caregivers to step outside when speaking to a young person about sensitive topics, please do not be offended if we do this.
You are not alone. 1 in 8 young people will experience a mental health problem, and we are here to help you.
How to make the most of your NHS services
You can access free healthcare information and advice 24 hours a day by dialling 111. You can even ask for an interpreter in your language by saying ‘interpreter please’. Or you can access the NHS 111 website here. https://111.nhs.uk/
How to access healthcare for an unwell child
In an emergency or life-threatening situation, call 999 and the operator will advise you what to do next. Alternatively, you can attend your nearest Accident & Emergency hospital department. A&E is open 24 hours a day every day of the year and you can attend without an appointment.
Pharmacies
Your local pharmacist can provide advice and medications on minor problems including coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy ache, and minor injuries. You can also buy many medications and first-aid supplies directly from a pharmacy or supermarket. The pharmacy staff will let you know if the medication that you need requires a prescription from a doctor.
General Practitioners (GP)
General Practitioners or GPs are primary care doctors who might be your first point of contact for physical and mental health concerns. They also coordinate long term healthcare and can provide referral to hospital specialists if needed. Everyone is encouraged to register with a GP and there is no charge to register with or to make an appointment with a GP. You can register with a GP even if you do not have a permanent address. Any local GP practice can provide you with emergency treatment for up to 14 days. After 14 days, you can then register as a temporary patient for up to 3 months.
You can do this online at www.nhs.uk/register
If you are having difficulty accessing NHS services (for example, a GP service has declined to register you) there are a number of organizations who can help:
Healthwatch www.healthwatchmanchester.org.uk 01612281344 info@healthwatchmanchester.co.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau https://www.citizensadvicemanchester.org.uk/get-help-button
Citizens Advice may also provide information on other help available including housing, employment, and immigration services
If you are living in temporary asylum accommodation, your accommodation may be able to direct you to their own GP services.
Vaccinations
Routine childhood vaccinations (immunisations) are free. They are a safe way to prevent diseases from spreading.
More information about childhood vaccinations can be found here. https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/keeping-your-child-safe-and-healthy/childhood-vaccinations-essential-information OR https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/
Dentists and Opticians
Children are entitled to free NHS dental (teeth) and optician (eyes) care.
If your child has toothache you can call NHS 111 on 111 and ask for an Emergency Dentist.
For routine care, you can find a dentist via https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist or an optician via https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/
Health Visitor and School nurses
Health Visitors are specially trained children’s nurses who support you and your family from birth until school. Once your child is at school, the school nurse takes over. Health Visitors can help with everything from health and parenting information (for example: breastfeeding, introducing solid food and healthy diet, potty training, behaviour and emotions) to developmental reviews and access to local community services and resources).
You can contact your local Health Visitor directly by phone. All of the health visitor team phone numbers for Manchester are listed here under ‘Contact Information and Opening Times.’ https://www.manchesterlco.org/services/childrens-community-services-citywide/manchester-health-visiting-service/#1665410935694-79353bb6-a10e
To contact a school nurse, enquire at your child’s school.
Where to find information online
Healthier Together is a free online resource for families and children. It provides information in multiple languages for pregnant mothers, parents and carers, children and young people.
For babies under 3 months https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/worried-your-baby-unwell-under-3-months-2/worried-about-your-baby
For babies and children over 3 months https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell
Mental health and wellbeing
If you are worried about you or your child’s mental health, please see our leaflet on mental health and wellbeing or the section on ‘What to expect when you come to the emergency department with a mental health problem’.
PED TV (MFTV)
We have partnered with a number of charities and organisations who have produced some excellent healthcare videos for children and their families, and we are delighted to be able to show these videos in the waiting room. We hope that you find the videos useful, interesting and possibly even educational.
We would love to hear from you if you have any feedback about the videos or to let us know if there are any other videos you wish were shown.
Teen Zone
When there are babies and young children everywhere it can feel like this is not the right place to you but we want to reassure you that the Paediatric Emergency Department is for teenagers too and our staff are here to support you. We want you to feel comfortable in our department and we want your voice to be heard.
When it is your turn to be called to see the doctor or nurse, we will ask you about the reason you came to the Emergency Department. Sometimes you have to tell more than one person, for example the triage nurse, then the doctor and sometimes another doctor too! This can feel frustrating, we understand this and thank you for being patient.
Sometimes the doctor will ask to see you without your grown up if you are happy to do so. You may prefer to talk to the doctor alone, just ask any member of staff if that is what you would like. This is a great opportunity to talk to someone who is not in your family about your whole life and any worries you might have. This might be about school, friends, bullying, gender identity, sex and contraception, mental health, drugs and alcohol or anything else. We are here to support you and can help and signpost you to any help you might need.
We really want to help, so try and stay. If you really must leave, please talk to a member of staff before doing so. If you decide to leave before seeing a clinician or being discharged, we may have to contact a family member or carer to ensure you are safe.
We know as you are getting older you want to make more decisions for yourself. We want to respect your choices when it is safe to do so.
LGBTQ+
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive department. Sexual and gender identity can feel confusing at times. We will listen without judgement. If we get something wrong, please let us know as we want to learn and improve.
For more information about and support see:
https://www.42ndstreet.org.uk/lgbtq-resources
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Effected by changing mood? Feeling sad or anxious? You are not alone in these feelings and talking about them can be helpful. Please talk to your doctor when you are in PED.
We have more information in our leaflet on mental health and wellbeing (link) or the section on ‘What to expect when you come to the emergency department with a mental health problem’. (link)
Sexual Health and contraception
You can talk in confidence to your doctor about sexual relationships or ask advice about contraception. If they cannot help today, they can sign post to the best place that can.
https://www.42ndstreet.org.uk/lgbtq-resources/relationships-sexual-health/contraception/
https://thenorthernsexualhealth.co.uk/our-clinics/
Unhappy or unsafe at home
If you are feeling scared at home or at school, whatever the reason, it is important to talk to a trusted grown up. You can talk to us here at the hospital and we can help.
Life affected by violence
We understand that teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable to getting caught up in violence through no fault of their own. This can be scary, and it can be hard to know where to turn for help.
We work closely with the Violence Reduction Unit to offer non -judgemental support to any young person in Manchester affected by violence.
You can self refer to https://oasis-gm.org/navigator for support, or talk to you doctor and we can do this for you.”
Support if you are new to the UK
You can access free healthcare information and advice 24 hours a day by dialling 111. You can ask for an interpreter in your language by saying ‘interpreter please’. Or you can access the NHS 111 website here. https://111.nhs.uk/
There are some additional services in the Manchester area specially for families that are newly arrived in the UK, including asylum seeking families and unaccompanied asylum seeking children.
Local help and support
There are many non-governmental organisations providing general support for refugees and asylum seekers.
Family and child support
| Organisation | Contact | Description |
| Greater Manchester Youth Network | support@gmyn.co.uk | They provide development programmes and drop-in activities to support young people aged 10-25 across Greater Manchester |
| All4One | Wednesdays 4:30-8:00pm Powerhouse 140 Raby St, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4SL | They bring together separated children and young people aged 13-21 seeking safety in the UK |
| Mamas and babies group | info@rainbowhaven.org.uk
Gorton, Wednesdays 1-2.30pm |
They provide a space for mothers and babies to socialise. There is also a creche for older children |
General refugee and asylum seeker support including advocacy and legal advice
| Organisation | Contact | Description |
| Kompasi | www.kompasi.org | A catalogue of support available for refugees, people seeking asylum and migrants |
| Greater Together Manchester | Website: https://www.greatertogethermanchester.org/find-help | They provide a map of different services available for support with food, energy, money and housing worries, refugee and people seeking asylum, as well as trafficking and slavery |
| Manchester Community Central | Website: https://manchestercommunitycentral.org/directory
List of free support groups |
They provide a list of different support groups available |
| Refugee Council | https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/resource-category/guides-for-refugees/ | This website contains information on the asylum process in multiple languages |
| Freedom From Torture | Email: northwest@freedomfromtorture.org
Phone: 0161 236 5744 |
They help men, women and children who have survived physical and psychological torture |
| Refugee Action Greater Manchester Asylum Crisis Project | Email: ACM@refugee-action.org.uk
Phone (9:45am-1pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays): 07824 473 479 Website self referral form: https://www.refugee-action.org.uk/project/manchester-asylum-crisis-project/ |
They help refugees and people seeking asylum who are at risk of being homeless or require financial support |
| Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit and Greater Manchester Law Centre | Website: www.gmiau.org and www.gmlaw.org.uk
Phone: advice line 01617407722 |
They provide free legal and immigration advice and support |
| Revive | Website: www.revive-uk.org/drop-in-services
Drop in: Tuesdays 9am-4pm (last entry 2pm) St Brigid’s Parish Hall, 183 Grey Mare Lane, Beswick, Manchester M11 3DR 01612235668 07500662596 And Wednesdays 9am-4pm (last entry 2pm) Spartan Centre, Northallerton Road, Lower Kersal, Salford M7 3TD 01612235668 |
They provide social workers and immigration case workers to support refugees and people seeking asylum |
| New Step for African Community (NESTAC) | Website: https://www.nestac.org.uk/get-support
Links to their emotional support line, specialist gender-based violence hub (for women over 18 years old), men’s support group, as well as their drop in service for general advice and support Email: enquiries@nestac.org.uk Phone: 01619756009 |
They support women and girls who are refugees or seeking asylum in the North West with a particular focus on those who have experienced Gender-Based Violence. They provide emotional support, specialist help, a support group for men, and a general refugee and asylum drop in service. |
| Manchester Refugee Support Network | Website:
https://mrsn.org.uk/reopening-our-drop-in-centre/ List of services including link to book an appointment |
They provide advice and support for refugees and people seeking asylum. They also provide yoga classes on Fridays 11am-12pm and art sessions Fridays 1-4pm |
Making your visit comfortable
We are here to help. Your child’s safety is our number one priority, and your comfort is also important to us.
There are shops that sell food, drinks and other items in the main entrance of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. There are also vending machines selling drinks and snacks.
There are toilets and breastfeeding rooms located within our waiting rooms. There are also toys and colouring sheets available in the department and children’s movies shown on portable TVs.
We have a play specialist available to help your child with treatments or procedures that may be distressing and we have a sensory room for children with special needs,
Our staff will help to assist you in any other way that we can to make your visit as comfortable as possible.
Please note that antisocial behaviour in our department or anger, aggression or rudeness directed towards our staff will not be tolerated. For the safety of all our patients and staff we have security on site at all times.
Contact Us
The hospital switchboard telephone number is 0161 276 1234
Compliments and feedback
Our staff do everything they can to ensure that you receive the best possible care. We are continually trying to improve our services and are always interested to hear your views. By understanding what matters to you, we can continue to improve our services.
If you are happy with your experience, please let us know and we will pass on your compliments to the staff concerned. If we have got something wrong, we want the opportunity to put things right as quickly as possible.
We take all feedback very seriously and guarantee that your care will not be compromised in any way if you raise a concern or make a complaint. There are a number of ways you can tell us about your experience.
Sharing a positive experience is a way to let staff know that their care and professionalism have not gone unnoticed. You can speak to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) or write to the Chief Executive, Mark Cubbon.
We want to resolve your concerns quickly. In the first instance, we would encourage you to tell the staff involved or speak to the person in charge of the department. If you don’t want to speak to them directly, or if the matter has not been resolved, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
Tell us about your experience by completing the NHS Friends and Family Test. Questionnaires are available in most departments or you can complete it online at https://mft.nhs.uk/fft/ . The results are used to provide a measure of patient satisfaction to compare us to other Trusts and are published on the NHS England website. The information you give is completely confidential and your details will not be passed on to anyone.