An on-line tool helping GPs and nurses to make fast and accurate diagnoses of children's illnesses has been officially launched.

Jason and Charlotte Maude's Isabel Medical Charity has produced a clinical decision-making programme which achieves a 90 per cent success rate.

Mr and Mrs Maude set up the charity after their daughter nearly died when a potentially fatal illness was not recognised by a GP and a junior doctor.

Isabel is designed to be used in accident and emergency departments, or by GPs and health workers and produces a range of possible diagnoses as soon as the initial patient symptoms are typed in.

It also provides guidelines for the treatment of a range of acute and life-threatening conditions for children.

The programme was spearheaded by paediatric intensive care consultant Dr Joseph Britto from St Mary's Hospital, Paddington and is supported by the General Medical Council, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Department of Health.

The site is free to use to health professionals and can be found at http://www.isabel.org.uk/