The prehospital paediatric emergency care burden managed by a public ambulance service in the Western Cape, South Africa

This first description of the prehospital paediatric under-five emergency care burden managed by the WCGHW EMS reveals a unique burden, particularly regarding the high interfacility transfer rates. As illustrated in graphical abstract, these findings underscore critical considerations for healthcare planners and the prehospital training environment. Future research among this population should focus on characterising the reasons for the high interfacility transfer rates through assessments of healthcare access, EMS care quality and post-EMS follow-up.