Why you should read this article:

•

To learn about the non-urgent conditions commonly seen in the paediatric emergency departments (PED)

•

To understand why parents of a child with a non-urgent condition may choose to present to the PED

•

To appreciate the link between low parental health literacy and non-urgent presentations to the PED

It is estimated that between 58% and 82% of children and young people who present to paediatric emergency department (PEDs) have a non-urgent condition. This systematic review of the literature explores why parents of children with non-urgent conditions present to the PED rather than to community healthcare services. Five databases were searched for studies on children and young people’s presentations to the PED for the treatment of a non-urgent condition, as identified by a low priority triage code. This article describes and discusses the findings of the 18 included studies.