Emergency Care

When illness or injury strikes suddenly, knowing where to go for help is not always straightforward. A child falls and hurts their arm. A cut looks deeper than expected. Pain appears quickly and needs urgent care now, not in a week when a GP appointment becomes available.

For many people in Western Australia, the decision often comes down to urgent care or an emergency Department. The confusion is understandable. Both treat injuries and illnesses that cannot wait, but they exist for different reasons and handle different levels of severity.

We know kids are resilient, but there may be a time when, as a parent you might find yourself heading to the emergency department (ED). According to heart and lung surgeon Dr. Nikki Stamp, “when it comes to kids, the general rules for heading to the ED include being particularly lethargic, not drinking or weeing much, looking particularly pale or dusky, as well as your own worry.” In this article, Dr. Nikki provides her expert advice on the specific signs you need to be aware of.