2. Safety-netting that a family can use at 2am

Name the danger signs

In language they will remember: worse swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, being much more unwell, confusion, a rash that does not fade, not passing urine, a child who will not wake or keep fluids down. Tell them this can become an emergency.

Name the service

“Call us” is useless if you close at 5pm. Give 999 for life-threatening features, and the actual out-of-hours dental / 111 / ED route that applies. Write it down. Reception should use the same card.

Who stays with them

A deteriorating person should not go home alone if you are worried. If they refuse emergency care, explore why, assess capacity, and record it. Involve a senior. Do not argue in the car park and then delete the note.

Follow-up

If you discharge with local treatment and no red flags, give a timed review (for example next day) and tell them not to wait for that review if red flags appear. “Ring if you need to” is not a time.