‘Network of centres will save more lives’

Scotland’s second trauma centre will save more lives of people who suffer catastrophic injuries, professionals have said.

The network that will be formed will work as a collaboration between the NHS in Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service, is part of efforts to provide “seamless” care.

Patients recovering from traumatic incidents, such as head-on collisions and other road traffic accidents, have spoken of their support for a more co-ordinated approach to aftercare, making sure they are not left behind once the physical injuries have been “stitched up”.

Dundee’s centre, based at Ninewells, will link in with the Scottish Trauma Network to centres in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The Aberdeen centre was opened in October, while the Edinburgh and Glasgow units will be open by 2019, according to NHS Scotland.

The first minister has said the co-ordinated network will be fully operational by 2021.

The Scottish Government has said the budget for the network will increase to £27 million – from £5m this year – by the turn of the decade, which it has “anticipated” in its spending plans.

Martin Mckechnie, national clinical lead for the Scottish Trauma Network, said: “Major trauma often results in life-threatening and lifechanging injuries.

“The network has been working in collaboration with NHS boards and the Scottish Ambulance Service to improve and optimise the health and wellbeing of the seriously injured.

“The opening of this major trauma centre in Dundee, the second of four major trauma centres for Scotland, is an exciting milestone and highlights the ongoing work of the Scottish Trauma Network.

“This new approach to trauma care will save more lives and improve patient outcomes throughout the trauma pathway – from prevention to rehabilitation.

“On behalf of the Scottish Trauma Network, I would like to thank all staff for their continuing efforts to transform trauma care for patients in Scotland.”