Quick answer
Call 995 only for life-threatening emergencies. HealthHub says babies under three months need immediate medical attention with a fever above 38°C. Otherwise KKH says a GP or polyclinic is faster and cheaper. Not sure? Call NurseFirst on 6262 6262.
The useful number: 995 is for life-threatening emergencies only. For advice on where to go, SCDF points to NurseFirst on 6262 6262.
Who is this for?
Parents and carers of babies and children who have suddenly fallen ill or been hurt. Every “when to get help” line below is the official page’s own words.
This guide does not diagnose. HealthHub’s advice: “Use your instincts. If you are concerned or think your child is getting worse, please seek medical attention for your child”.
When should we call 995?
SCDF: “Call 995 only for life-threatening emergencies”. HealthHub lists these cases for a child:
- “Your child’s airway is obstructed, for example, choking or anaphylaxis (an extreme allergic reaction)”.
- “Your child has stopped breathing or is struggling to breathe”.
- “Your child’s skin and lips are turning blue, purple, or gray, or he is unusually pale and clammy”.
- “Your child is unresponsive or unconscious. He might be unusually limp, weak or lethargic, or have seizures”.
- “Your child is seriously injured”.
“Dial 995 and provide the operator with as much information as you can about your child’s condition”.
SCDF’s examples of emergencies and non-emergencies
“Examples of emergencies: cardiac arrest, seizures, breathlessness, loss of consciousness, excessive bleeding, major traumas and stroke”.
“Examples of non-emergencies: toothaches, diarrhoea, coughs, headaches, slight burns or scalds, constipation, or medical check-ups”.
“SCDF does not charge for any emergency cases it conveys to hospitals”.
When should we go to children’s emergency?
HealthHub: “Go to the Children's Emergency immediately if your child:”
- “Has a temperature of more than 41.0°C, or 38.0°C for those less than 3 months old”
- “Is difficult to awaken”
- “Seems confused or delirious”
- “Cries constantly and you cannot settle him or her”
- “Has difficulty breathing”
- “Is very lethargic”
- “Has a skin colour that appears pale or grey”
- “Has bruising spots”
- “Has a fit (seizure or convulsion)”
- “Is drinking less fluids and has significantly less urine output than usual”
KKH’s list of emergency conditions
- “Major accidents like road traffic accident, fall from a height”
- “Near drowning”
- “Deep cuts or wounds”
- “Head injury”
- “Suspected broken bones, dislocated joints”
- “Suspected poison ingestion”
- “Foreign body ingestion or inhalation”
- “Foreign body in the throat, ear or nose”
- “Loss of consciousness”
- “Seizures”
- “Difficulty in breathing, wheezing, noisy breathing; and breathless to talk, drink or play”
- “Inability to swallow and drooling”
- “Child looks pale, ashen or blue”
- “Poor feeding or persistent vomiting (not able to retain fluids)”
- “Drowsiness, irritability, persistent crying, confusion, disorientation”
- “Fever or illness in an infant less than 3 months old”
- “Blood in the stools or vomitus, green vomitus”
- “Persistent acute abdominal pain”
- “Acute headache or giddiness, neck stiffness”
- “Acute illness or deterioration in a child with a known chronic illness”
KKH says patients are not seen in order of arrival: “Patients are NOT seen on a first-come-first-served basis”.
Fever in a young baby: what do the official pages say?
- Under 1 month (NUH)
- “Please bring the child to the Children’s Emergency for further evaluation”.
- Under 3 months (HealthHub)
- “Babies under three months old will need immediate medical attention if they have fevers above 38 degrees Celsius”.
- 1 to 3 months (NUH)
- “Your child should also be brought to the paediatrician as soon as possible”.
- 3 months to 2 years (NUH)
- “Please consider bringing your child to see a doctor within the next 24 hours”
- “if there is a fever for more than 24 hours without any other symptoms”
- “or if the fever is high at 40 degrees Celsius repeatedly, even with antipyretic medications”
- Any age, above 39°C (HealthHub)
- “Bring your child to see a doctor immediately if he has a fever above 39 degrees Celsius and any of the following symptoms:”
- “He is not eating well or can’t keep food down due to vomiting”
- “He has difficulty breathing”
- “He is lethargic and drowsy”
- “He has abdominal pain and discomfort”
- “He has a rash”
- “He is dehydrated”
NUH lists other signs to look for:
- “purplish spots on the skin”
- “crying inconsolably”
- “difficulty in waking up”
- “breathing that looks difficult”
- “drooling”
- “inability to eat”
NUH: “If so, please bring your child to see a doctor as soon as possible”.
Use a thermometer and write each reading down. If you are unsure what a reading means for your baby, ask your doctor or call NurseFirst.
When is a GP or polyclinic the right place?
KKH: “Your child may be treated by the family or polyclinic doctor if he is observed to be:”
- “Alert, fairly active, able to interact with caregivers, able to play (at least in between febrile episodes)”
- “Feeding adequately or able to retain oral fluids”
- “Not having any of the symptoms stated in the list of emergency conditions”
“If your child has a non-emergency condition, see your family doctor or a doctor at the polyclinic. It is faster, cheaper and your child will still get the relevant treatment”.
NUH: “General Practitioners (GP) can often manage non-emergency conditions such as cough, runny nose, hand foot mouth disease, diarrhea, rash and fever in older children”. “For urgent but not critical cases, you may visit the Urgent Care Clinic (UCC)”.
MOH’s advice for mild-to-moderate symptoms: “Visit your family doctor at your preferred GP clinic or polyclinic”.
Where are the children’s emergency departments?
| Children’s emergency | Where and when | Phone (general enquiries) |
|---|---|---|
| KK Women's and Children's Hospital Children's Emergency | Basement 1, Children's Tower, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 229899 Open 24 hours | 6225 5554 |
| National University Hospital Children's Emergency | 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Main Building, Level 1 Operating hours: 24 hours | 6908 2222 |
Listed alphabetically, not ranked.
KKH’s TelePaeds page says the “prevailing Children’s Emergency fee of $172.50 will apply”. NUH lists S$172 for its Accident & Emergency services and facility fee. NUH says “charges for emergency services are non-Medisave claimable”.
Not sure where to go?
SCDF says NurseFirst’s trained nurses advise callers on care options, including nearby GP clinics and teleconsultation. Call 6262 6262.
MOH says to call it “for non-life-threatening medical conditions, to receive timely medical advice at no cost”. MOH also says “Calls to 995 assessed to be non-emergencies will be referred to NurseFirst for medical advice”.
We could not confirm NurseFirst’s current opening hours on an official page.
What about 1777 and a non-emergency ambulance?
Until 31 December 2026, SCDF’s page still says: “Call 1777 for a non-emergency ambulance”. Then “The SCDF will cease the 1777 non-emergency ambulance hotline from 1 January 2027”.
From 1 January 2027, SCDF says to refer to “go.gov.sg/pao for the contact details and fees of Private Ambulance Operators”. “For non-emergency trips to hospital, taxis and ride-hailing services are also readily available”.
SCDF: “However, $274 will be charged for each non-emergency case that SCDF conveys to hospital”.
What should we bring?
- The Child Health Booklet. HealthHub: “It is important that you bring this book along when your child visits the doctor”.
- Your child’s birth certificate or ID. NUH asks for the original NRIC / Birth Certificate / Digital NRIC via Singpass App or Passport.
- Details of your child’s health. NUH: “medical history, drug allergies, name and dosage of medications they are currently taking”
- NUH also says to “bring essentials such as extra milk for infants and snacks for older children, a book or a device”.
Keep a sick-day log on the illness and absence notes sheet, and put the one-page fridge sheet where carers can see it.
What does this guide not tell you?
It does not diagnose. It quotes the official pages so you can act quickly. If you are worried, see a doctor. In a life-threatening emergency, call 995.
Printables for this guide
Sick child: where to go fridge sheet
One page for the fridge: when to call 995 or go to children's emergency, fever in babies, GP or polyclinic, NurseFirst and what to bring.
Illness and absence notes sheet
Note the facts a doctor asks for, write a school absence note in two minutes, and track the childcare leave you use this year.
Put it where everyone can see it
One page for the fridge: when to call 995, where children’s emergency is, the NurseFirst number and what to bring.
Print the fridge sheet → Sick-day log and absence note → Childcare leave you can take →Frequently asked questions
Should I call 995 for a high fever?
HealthHub lists 995 cases such as a blocked airway, struggling to breathe, blue or grey skin, or a child who is unresponsive. For fever, HealthHub says to see a doctor immediately above 39°C with certain signs.
My baby is under 3 months and has a fever. What now?
HealthHub: “Babies under three months old will need immediate medical attention if they have fevers above 38 degrees Celsius”. NUH says a baby under 1 month should go to the Children’s Emergency.
Can we still call 1777?
Until 31 December 2026, SCDF’s page still lists 1777 for a non-emergency ambulance. SCDF stops the line from 1 January 2027. After that, see go.gov.sg/pao for private ambulance operators.
Does children’s emergency cost money?
KKH gives its prevailing Children’s Emergency fee as S$172.50. NUH lists S$172. NUH says emergency charges are not MediSave claimable.
Is NurseFirst free?
MOH says NurseFirst gives medical advice for non-life-threatening conditions at no cost. The number is 6262 6262.
Keep this guide for the next big decision.
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Sources & assumptions
- SCDF — Emergency Medical Services ↗
- MOH — 1777 non-emergency ambulance hotline to cease from 1 January 2027 ↗
- HealthHub (HPB) — Should I take my child to the ER? ↗
- HealthHub (HPB) — Fever in children ↗
- NUH — Fever (children) ↗
- KKH — Emergency (childhood illnesses) ↗
- KKH — Clinics and centres ↗
- KKH — Contact us ↗
- KKH — KK TelePaeds ↗
- NUH — Children's Emergency ↗
- NUH — Contact NUH ↗
- NUH — Fees and charges ↗
- NUH — Visit the Emergency Department ↗
- MOH — Getting medical help ↗
- MOH — Nation-wide trial to refer non-life-threatening 995 calls to the NurseFirst helpline ↗
- HealthHub — Child Health Booklet ↗