Cascade Summer/Autumn 2012 - Plymouth Hospitals

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Hospital Officially Becomes the Peninsula Major Trauma Centre
On Monday 2 April 2012 Derriford Hospital officially became the
Peninsula Trauma Centre.
This move is part of a new region-wide system in the south
west, consisting of two trauma care networks, each with a major
trauma centre at the heart of the network and supported by the
ambulance and air ambulances services, trauma units, local
acute hospitals, specialist rehabilitation and many other
associated healthcare professionals. It is estimated that this new
system could save several lives per year in the west country
alone.
The two adult major trauma centres in the west country are the
Peninsula Trauma Centre at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth and
Frenchay Hospital in Bristol. The children’s major trauma centre
will be at the Frenchay Hospital, although life-saving facilities for
children are available at Derriford Hospital and throughout the
region.
What is major trauma?
Major trauma is defined as serious
injuries which threaten life including:
• major head injuries;
• multiple injuries, both internal and
external;
• spinal injury, which could lead to
paralysis;
• severe knife and gunshot wounds;
• above the knee amputation.
Patients with major trauma are those
with serious, multiple injuries that require
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
emergency access to a wide range of
clinical services and specialist staff.
Dr Elfyn Thomas, Clinical Lead for Major Trauma and Consultant
In Intensive Care Medicine at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust said: “One of the biggest benefits of this
new system is that severely injured patients will, wherever possible, be transferred directly to the major
trauma centre for care, as we have everything they need all on our site, including trauma specialists,
neurosurgery, cardiothoracics, intensive care and radiology.
News from around the Trust
“By becoming the major trauma centre we can work with our colleagues throughout the peninsula to
ensure that all trauma patients receive the highest quality care, which can often make the difference
between life and death.”
Dr Iain Grant, Network Lead for Major Trauma, added: “Independent data from the Trauma Audit and
Research Network (TARN) shows that Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust is currently one of the top 10
performing major trauma centres in England. For every 100 severely injured patients, an extra two and a
half will survive in Devon and Cornwall because of the expertise and facilities available. Derriford
Hospital and the local commissioners are currently looking at various schemes to enhance trauma care
within both the Trust and the Network.”
A map showing the new trauma centre network