25/11/2025
Parents Urged To Use Online Symptom Checker This Winter
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has issued a winter message to parents of children and young people, emphasising the importance of using appropriate health services during the busy winter period.
The Minister visited the Paediatric Unit at Altnagelvin Area Hospital to meet staff and patients and view a demonstration of the HSC online children's symptom checker. This tool, developed by local paediatricians, is designed to help parents and carers determine which service is best suited for their child's needs.
Minister Nesbitt acknowledged the anxiety parents feel: "I know how worrying it can be for parents when a child is sick, especially as more respiratory viruses begin to circulate during the winter."
He reassured families that excellent care is available across all paediatric units in Northern Ireland and that plans are in place to deal with extra winter pressures.
The Minister specifically called on parents to use the symptom checker: "Parents and carers can help to ensure that all children and young people get the care they need by using the symptom checker and thinking about whether other services could provide the advice and treatment your child needs during this busy winter period."
Dr Joe Clarke, Consultant Paediatrician at Altnagelvin Hospital, strongly encouraged the use of the tool: "We want to encourage parents to use the children's symptom checker... Every unit has expert staff who make sure your children gets the same high-quality care wherever you live."
Minister Nesbitt concluded by thanking the dedicated paediatric teams across the regional network for their hard work and commitment. The public is reminded that children who require urgent medical attention should attend their local Emergency Department.
The Minister visited the Paediatric Unit at Altnagelvin Area Hospital to meet staff and patients and view a demonstration of the HSC online children's symptom checker. This tool, developed by local paediatricians, is designed to help parents and carers determine which service is best suited for their child's needs.
Minister Nesbitt acknowledged the anxiety parents feel: "I know how worrying it can be for parents when a child is sick, especially as more respiratory viruses begin to circulate during the winter."
The Minister specifically called on parents to use the symptom checker: "Parents and carers can help to ensure that all children and young people get the care they need by using the symptom checker and thinking about whether other services could provide the advice and treatment your child needs during this busy winter period."
Dr Joe Clarke, Consultant Paediatrician at Altnagelvin Hospital, strongly encouraged the use of the tool: "We want to encourage parents to use the children's symptom checker... Every unit has expert staff who make sure your children gets the same high-quality care wherever you live."
Minister Nesbitt concluded by thanking the dedicated paediatric teams across the regional network for their hard work and commitment. The public is reminded that children who require urgent medical attention should attend their local Emergency Department.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.