London's trauma system
Leading London's new, world-class trauma system
People who suffer serious injury (which is known as major trauma) need the highest quality specialist care to give them the best chances of survival and recovery. From 2010, Londoners will receive new world-class trauma care through the London trauma system. The system is made up of four trauma networks, each with a major trauma centre for treating the most seriously injured patients, linked in with a number of local trauma units for treating those people with less serious injury. The system will save about 100 lives a year and prevent disability for many more.
Ambulance crews will use an agreed protocol to take injured people to the hospital most suited to their needs. The most seriously injured will be taken to a major trauma centre . The majority of people will continue to receive treatment in their local trauma unit. If patients arrive in a trauma unit and then require the specialist services of a major trauma centre they will be stabilised and transferred immediately to the major trauma centre for treatment.
The National Clinical Director for Trauma Professor Keith Willett is highly supportive of the new London trauma system.
"The launch of the London trauma networks represents the culmination of extensive planning and co-operation contributed to by patients, commissioners, managers and many disciplines of clinical staff. These networks will not only be of significant benefit for the severely injured patients of London but will be used extensively across the rest of NHS England as those areas roll out their regional networks for major trauma over the next 2 years. Their strength will lie in the professional consensus that has been achieved and the "can-do" attitude of all those involved. We keenly await the benefits for patients."
Find out more about the network and what the London Trauma Office does.