Policy context

Emergency department (ED) presentations data for children is an important health indicator. It aids in disease surveillance by identifying trends in paediatric health conditions and helps allocate healthcare resources. It also highlights disparities in healthcare access and can guide efforts to promote health equity.

Head injuries are the leading cause of ED visits for children aged 0–9, while children aged 10-18 present more frequently with arm fractures, ankle sprains, or poisonings¹. However, limitations in ED coding, such as the frequent use of non-specific diagnoses, highlight the need for improved data quality.