Table 2.

Quotes from referring clinicians relating to some of the factors which may influence their decision to refer a child to hospital with an acute medical condition.

Factors	Quotes
Waiting time target	“…if it was something that wasn’t going to be settling within the four hours that I had to play with here, I would certainly be speaking to my medical colleagues…” (Doctor F from ED)
Socioeconomic background	“…if there were markers of an adverse social background that would have pushed me more towards admission…” (Doctor E from OOH)
Previous admissions	“…if you have got a child who has had previous issues, particularly of a similar kind, that would definitely influence my admission…” (Doctor D from OOH)
Time of day	“…if I see them early on in the morning I am probably less inclined to admit, than if I see them at half four or something like that in the afternoon.” (Doctor C from GP)