World’s largest early warning system for severe child illness to launch in NHS A&Es across England

Paediatric early warning system (Pews) uses a vital signs scoring system to assess whether a child is deteriorating

The world’s largest “early warning system” to spot when sick children are dangerously deteriorating is being introduced in A&E departments across England, NHS leaders have said.

The national paediatric early warning system (Pews) uses a scoring system for vital signs to assess whether a child needs more urgent attention. It is already used for inpatients, but NHS England has said this winter will be the first time it is used in A&E.