Improving Trauma Care Across the West Midlands - Have Your Say
PLEASE NOTE, THIS CONSULTATION HAS NOW ENDED. THE BELOW IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY.
Thank you to all who have sent in comments and feedback.
An Outcome Report will be published on this site when available.
The NHS in the West Midlands is proposing to transform the care people receive when they suffer major trauma by introducing an improved system of care across the region.
Major trauma is defined as serious injuries which are immediately life threatening such as major head or spinal injuries, amputations, multiple injuries, and severe knife or gunshot wounds. The creation of new trauma care networks will help patients by increasing survival rates, shortening recovery times and reducing disability from injury.
As part of the review four options are being considered. These are:
- Three major trauma centres - at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, the University Hospital of North Staffordshire and University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.
- Two major trauma centres - one at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and one at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.
- Two major trauma centres - one at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and one at the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.
- One major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
In addition, the Birmingham Children's Hospital would be the West Midlands' Major Trauma Centre for Children.
Evidence shows that when patients are treated in a trauma network, with a specialist centre responsible for treating major trauma cases, patients’ survival rates could improve by up to 20% saving another 45 – 60 lives every year. This is because major trauma centres have the specialist staff, equipment and technology on one site to treat these serious and/or life threatening injuries. In addition we know that the severity of disability is reduced with patients making a much speedier recovery and able to live more independently following their recovery.
If you would like to find out more about this review visit http://www.wmsc.nhs.uk/specialised-services/review-of-major-trauma-services/ or email: getinvolved@wolvespct.nhs.uk
Useful Documents
Trauma Care Network News - Issue 1
Trauma Care Network News - Issue 2
Page last updated: 9th January 2012
