Every year there are approximately 22,000 cases of ‘major trauma’ across the UK, mainly caused by road traffic accidents, falls and assaults. Prior to 2010 trauma patients were managed at any acute hospital with an Emergency Department irrespective of whether they had the resources or expertise to handle them.
In the late 2000s, reports identified serious failings in the organisation of trauma care in the UK which led to the formation of a national major trauma system.
In 2012 England was the first UK nation to implement the major trauma system which led to a significant increase in the odds of survival for major trauma patients who reach hospital alive. It is estimated that around 20% more lives can be saved if a patient is taken to a Major Trauma Centre rather than their nearest hospital and the chances of disability are reduced.
Here in the Midlands, we are fortunate to have two of the best major trauma centres in the country, the East Midlands Major Trauma Centre based at the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, and the University Hospitals of North Midlands Major Trauma Centre based at the Royal Stoke, both of which opened in 2012. They are two of the busiest major trauma centres in the country with some of the strongest clinical outcomes nationally.
Dedicated medical staff care for and support patients from their admission to the Emergency Department right through to rehabilitation. In 2016 an Acute Rehabilitation & Trauma Unit opened at Royal Stoke and patients at the East Midlands major trauma centre will soon be able to continue their rehabilitation at the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) located between Nottingham and Loughborough which is due to open in 2025.
Comment
Recently, Nelsons’ dedicated personal injury team acted for a client whose life was saved by the outstanding care and treatment he received from The Air Ambulance Service and the East Midlands Major Trauma Centre. Our client suffered catastrophic and life-changing injuries in an accident at work. Nelsons was able to secure a seven-figure settlement for him together with specially adapted accommodation, equipment and care which secured his future.
How can Nelsons help
Dianne Collins is a Senior Associate in our expert Personal Injury team, which has been ranked in Tier One by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500, and Commended in The Times Best Law Firms 2024. Dianne specialises in accident claims, including child abuse claims, criminal injury compensation claims and public liability claims.
For more information on the subject above, please contact Dianne or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form.
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