A new system to prioritise children who attend emergency departments has been launched by the Health Service Executive.
The Irish Children's Triage System has been developed from the experience of doctors and nurses.
Up to now children who attend general hospital emergency departments have been assessed using an adult scoring system.
This is no longer seen as best practice, given the age-related physiological differences with children, their specific presenting signs and symptoms and paediatric diagnoses.
The HSE's national medicine emergency programme says the new system will ensure safer, more effective and timely care for children.
It should also result in more children being admitted where necessary and not being discharged.
There are over 20 hospitals where acutely-ill or injured children are seen.
Children account for around a quarter of all attendances at regional emergency departments.
In addition, over 110,000 children attend the three paediatric-only emergency departments in Dublin each year.
The system has been piloted in six hospitals and will become the national standard for all children who present to emergency departments .
