Major trauma centre
A major trauma centre (MTC) is a specialist unit within the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, set up to provide specialised trauma care and rehabilitation. They are usually found within larger hospitals in major cities which have the necessary infrastructure and staff to deal with major trauma cases.
MTCs provide emergency access to life and limb saving consultant-led care in a wide range of specialisms including anaesthetics, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, geriatricians and emergency medicine. All MTCs have an on-site CT scanner and emergency operating theatres on standby to perform immediate, life-saving surgery.[1] All MTC's also provide consultant-led rehabilitation care, to optimise recovery at the earliest opportunity.
Major trauma is described as life-altering injury with risk of death and/or disability.[1]
The first major trauma centre opened in England in 2012, with Scotland following in 2018, and in the same year plans were announced for the first MTC in Wales.[2]
Major trauma centres in England
There are a total of 27 major trauma centres within NHS England, divided into three categories: adult and child; adult-only; and child-only.[3] At first small number of pilot sites were trialled. All major trauma centres within England operate within local trauma networks, ensuring patients are treated at the most appropriate place for their injuries, but returning to care closer to home when able.
The first MTCs opened in April 2012.[4]
Adult and children | Adult only | Children only |
---|---|---|
Addenbrooke's Hospital (Cambridge) | Southmead Hospital (Bristol) | Alder Hey Children's Hospital (Liverpool) |
James Cook University Hospital (Middlesbrough) | Aintree University Hospital (Merseyside) | Birmingham Children's Hospital |
John Radcliffe Hospital (Oxford) | Derriford Hospital (Plymouth) | Bristol Royal Hospital for Children |
St Mary’s Hospital (London) | Hull Royal Infirmary | Royal Manchester Children's Hospital |
St George’s Hospital (London) | Northern General Hospital (Sheffield) | Sheffield Children's Hospital |
Royal London Hospital | Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham | |
King’s College Hospital (London) | Royal Preston Hospital | |
Leeds General Infirmary | Royal Sussex County Hospital (Brighton) | |
Queen’s Medical Centre (Nottingham) | University Hospital Coventry | |
Royal Victoria Infirmary (Newcastle) | Royal Stoke University Hospital | |
Southampton General Hospital | Manchester Royal Infirmary |
Major trauma centres in Scotland
The Scottish Trauma Network operates four major trauma centres within NHS Scotland.[5] The first was opened at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 1 October 2018.[6]
Major trauma centres in Scotland |
---|
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary |
Ninewells Hospital, Dundee |
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow |
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh |
References
- "Major Trauma Centre: Questions and Answers". Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- "Cardiff major trauma centre to go ahead". BBC News. BBC. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
- "Major Trauma Centres in England" (PDF). NHS. October 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- "Regionalisation of trauma care in England". Bone & Joint Journal. 1 September 2016.
- "Map". Scottish Trauma Network. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- "First of new major trauma centres opens in Aberdeen". BBC News. 1 October 2018.