New study on children admitted to A&E in Fife hospitals seeks parents’ views

A team from the University of Stirling wants to speak to anyone whose youngsters have, in the past five years, been admitted to hospital as an emergency, but then discharged within 24 hours.

Their study will focus on children hospitalised after falling ill – for example with a fever, respiratory problems, or a seizure – rather than from suffering an accident, such as broken bones.

The team is particularly interested in families where they have needed to attend hospital more than once within a short period.

It forms part of a wider study funded by the Scottish Government’s chief scientist office.

Dr Emma King, of the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit at the University of Stirling, said: “In recent years, and prior to the pandemic, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of children experiencing short stay emergency admissions in hospitals across Scotland.

“It is not clear exactly why this is the case – and this study is aiming to understand the factors behind this trend.

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“We will ask about the period leading up to admission and the experience at the hospital itself and, if the visit occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are keen to understand how that has impacted on children and young people's services too.

“Our findings will help us to understand the pre-hospital pathways leading to admission..”

The Flamingo study is led by Professor Steve Turner, a child healthcare expert at the University of Aberdeen and a consultant paediatrician with NHS Grampian.

He saId: “Now is a really good time to seek the views of parents and carers, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing increased anxieties for everyone, and healthcare services having to rapidly adapt the way their paediatric services are delivered.”

Interviews – lasting between 20 and 45 minutes – will take place over the telephone and participants will receive a £20 voucher as an acknowledgement of their time. To participate, or for more information, please contact Dr King by emailing: [email protected]

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