Comment on improved patient survival from trauma networks
01 Jul 2014
Commenting on a NHS England report showing improved survival rates following the introduction of Regional Trauma Networks, Professor Norman Williams, President of the Royal College of Surgeons said:
‘It is vital that the most seriously injured patients receive treatment in the centres that are able to offer the right level of care. Trauma care has evolved very considerably in the last decade, and surgeons can do far more to save lives but that work can only be done in centres which have all the right resources and staff available.
‘This will involve reorganisation of some hospitals so that the focus is on patients receiving the best care, rather than the focus being on geographical location. Professor Willett is right to say that we must not allow inertia to block such an important patient safety measure. We cannot afford to duck this question any longer.
‘For rural communities, the transport links are the key question and proper consideration needs to be given to how to improve those links, including the use of helicopter services.’
Notes to editors
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