News Release
12 December 2025
Health leaders in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) are pleased to confirm the
recent opening of a new Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) and Response hub to support
children and young people in need of urgent respiratory care this winter.
Annually the NHS sees a significant increase in the number of children and young people
going to the Emergency Department, urgent treatment centres and GP practices with coughs
and colds caused by viruses during the colder winter months. These symptoms will usually
get better in time and can be effectively managed with self-care or the advice of a community
pharmacist, with only a small minority of severe cases requiring the children’s Emergency
Department. Community pharmacies are also able to prescribe antibiotics where required for
a number of common winter illnesses through the Pharmacy First Scheme
(https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/pharmacy/). Children and young people
with more severe or worrying symptoms may require assessment by a doctor, nurse or
another clinician. The 111 service can offer advice on which symptoms require a medical
assessment.
The ARI hub enables children to access medical care for respiratory illnesses that may cause
fever, laboured breathing, lethargy and poor feeding or fluid intake.
To help the Children’s Emergency Department focus their resources on life and limb
threatening emergencies, children that require respiratory or other related support can now be
referred to the hub by either their GP practice or by triage staff at the Children’s Emergency
Department. The hub, which is based in Leicester, will offer appointments to patients between
2pm and 9pm Monday to Friday.
The hub is the latest measure from the NHS in Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland to ensure
patients receive the right care, from the right professional, in the right part of the NHS, first
time – known as right care, right place. This helps to ensure NHS resources are used in the
best way to help everyone in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland get the care they need in
a timeframe appropriate to their clinical needs.
Dr Louise Ryan, Clinical Lead for Children and Young People for the Leicester, Leicestershire
and Rutland ICB, said: “The hub will provide additional access to medical care for children
and young people with non-life threatening respiratory illnesses such as coughs, colds and
wheezing caused by winter viruses. By allowing the children’s emergency department to refer
children directly into the hub this will help ensure that children and young people with severe
and life-threatening illness can be seen more quickly in the children’s emergency
department.”
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust have recently published a self-care guide for
parents of 0–9-year-olds, which includes helpful advice on what to do if your child has
respiratory symptoms, a high temperature or other common childhood illnesses. You can view
the guide here: Supporting a poorly child – University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
Parents and carers are advised to use this advice in the first instance when their child
becomes unwell. If further advice is required, they should call 111 or consult their local
pharmacist. Unless there is a concern about a life-threatening illness, children should only be
taken to the Children’s Emergency Department if advised to do so by 111, a pharmacist, GP,
nurse or other medical professional.
Local pharmacies can provide expert advice and over-the-counter medicines for many minor
illnesses including cough, colds, sore throats and earache. They can check symptoms,
recommend the best treatment or provide reassurance. They can also now provide
prescription medication without needing an appointment at a GP practice first for seven
common conditions under what is known as the Pharmacy First scheme which includes ear
infections (for children aged 1-17 years), sinusitis (for children aged 12 years and over) and
sore throats (for children five years and over). You can find pharmacies in your area here:
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy/.
If parents are worried that their child has symptoms that require medical attention such as not
being themselves, feeding/eating less than half of usual amounts, or has a persistent high
temperature, they should contact their GP practice or NHS 111, who can provide advice and
assessment or book an appointment at the new ARI hub if this is appropriate. They should
only go directly to the Children’s Emergency Department if their child goes blue on their
tongue or lips, has long pauses in their breathing or is having severe breathing difficulties or
gasping for long periods.
Ends
For further information contact:
llricb-llr.pressoffice@nhs.net
Note to editors
The LLR ICB is the NHS organisation responsible for planning, arranging and ensuring the
availability and quality of health services to local people.
For further information visit: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk
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