Children’s A&E- Essex/East London borders

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Hello

Please can mums in the West Essex/ East London and Essex borders advise me on the best A&E for their babies / children? I’ve recently had a baby so wish to plan ahead. Thanks!

The West Essex hospitals near me don’t seem very good. My nearest hospital is Princess Alexandra Harlow (but its A&E was rated ‘requires improvement’, which chimes in with its overall ‘requires improvement’ rating). The Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford doesn’t seem much better - its A&E is also rated ‘requires improvement’.

I think we would most likely want to head to East London. The best option seems to be Homerton, whose A+E was rated as ‘outstanding’. It doesn’t seem to have a paediatrics A+E but it does have a separate waiting/assessment area for children (so perhaps that’s nearly as good?)

Then there is Newham Hospital, whose A+E was rated ‘good’ but it does have a 24H paediatric A&E.

Please hit me with your recommendations! Thanks

The one time I needed a&e for my child - I had one consideration and one only

The closest.

In my experience, if you need A&E you'll want to get there fast rather than worry about their ratings.

I've taken DD twice (she's one). Both times it turned out to be nothing serious, but my overriding feeling was to get her to some experts ASAP.

The nearest, without a doubt.

Thanks for the advice ladies - seems pretty unanimous on that front . Also what my husband said when I just asked him so that’s what we’ll do.

You just go to the nearest one you don't drive a sick or injured child round. Anyway it's mostly luck of the draw on how busy they are and what staff are on. I once had to drive into London for the Royal London a&e specifically and it was a nightmare, I waited hours. Whereas my local King George in Goodmayes might not be rated the best but it gets the job done.