Exploring children's and their parents' experiences in urgent treatment centres: A qualitative study protocol

Background

Young children are frequent users of urgent and emergency care (UEC) services (Blair et al., 2025). The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC, 1989) highlights children’s rights to healthcare (Article 24), to express their views (Article 12), and to receive information to support participation (Article 13). Existing research in UEC has primarily focused on parental decision-making and help-seeking behaviours when accessing care (Neill et al., 2016). While there is increasing evidence on children’s experiences and involvement in their healthcare, there is limited research which has examined children’s experiences in UTCs and even less which has engaged with young children. This is an important gap considering the increasing role these services play in urgent care delivery (NHS England, 2023).

Aim

To explore the experiences and perceptions of children aged 2–7 years and their parents when receiving care in UTCs.

Methods

This study will use a critical ethnographic approach to explore young children and their parent’s experiences of urgent care. This presentation discusses the development of the study and the creative methodology through Public Involvement groups in schools and online with young children and parents. Walking interviews, conducted alongside observation of a child’s journey within the UTC will be complemented by creative child-friendly methods. Semi-structured interviews will also be held with children, their parents, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in the child’s care. Purposive sampling will be used to recruit child–parent dyads on arrival, as well as HCPs working within the service. Researcher reflexivity will be central to the study. Data analysis will follow a two-phase approach, using reflexive thematic analysis to identify key patterns in experiences, and critical discourse analysis to interrogate the social, cultural, and institutional contexts shaping care. Ethical approval will be sought from the Health Research Authority and the University Ethics Committee.

Conclusion

This study will generate new insights into children’s experiences of UTCs, highlighting their perspectives in a setting where their voices have rarely been heard. Findings will inform the development of more child-friendly urgent care services and contribute to embedding children’s rights within UEC policy and practice.

Reference

Blair, M., Fanner, M., Maye, G., Bedford, H., Morton, A. (2025) Troubling rise in emergency department attendance of babies and young children in England: Time to focus on prevention and support. Journal of Family and Child Health, 2 (8), pp. 340- 343 https://doi.org/10.12968/jfch.2025.2.8.340
Neill, S.J., Jones, C.H., Lakhanpaul, M., Roland, D. and Thompson, M., (2016). Parent’s help-seeking behaviours during acute childhood illness at home: A contribution to explanatory theory. Journal of Child Health Care, 20(1), pp.77–86. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367493514551309
NHS England (2023) Urgent treatment centres – principles and standards. Available: NHS England » Urgent treatment centres – principles and standards (Accessed 25.9.25)
United Nations. (1989). The United Nations convention for the rights of the child. Available:Convention on the Rights of the Child text | UNICEF [Accessed 25.09.25)