AbstractObjectiveTo explore parent’s experiences and views relating to their use of children’s emergency healthcare services during the Covid-19 pandemic.DesignQualitative telephone interview study using in-depth interviews, based on the principles of grounded theory. Recorded, transcribed verbatim, managed in NVivo version 12, analysed by thematic analysis.SettingNorth East England, United Kingdom.ParticipantsParents of children aged 0-8 years.FindingsThree major themes emerged from the interview data: Risk to children and families, Sources of Information, and Making Healthcare-seeking Decisions. These themes encompassed a range of intellectual and emotional responses in the way that parents interpreted information related to Covid-19, and their sense of responsibility towards family and wider society.ConclusionsTogether these themes aid understanding of the changes in paediatric emergency department attendances reported in the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK. The analysis suggests that public health messaging directed at those seeking urgent care for children may be inadequate and lead to adverse consequences, the impacts of which require further study and refinement.What is known about the subjectFollowing lockdown, there was a substantial reduction in the number of children taken to unscheduled medical care across the countryDelays in presentation can impact on children’s healthIt is not known what parents’ views are on accessing emergency health services in a pandemic situationWhat this study addsParents had to weigh up a number of information sources before deciding on whether to take their child to hospitalPublic health messaging directed at those seeking urgent care for children may lead to a reduction in use of emergency healthcare servicesFuture lockdowns should implement focussed strategies, optimising use of emergency healthcare services, whilst avoiding harm.