Trauma centre to be based at Paisley’s RAH
Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital is to become a centre for the treatment of people with traumatic injuries.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has given its go-ahead for a plan which aims to transform the way people suffering major trauma in the West of Scotland are treated.
It is hoped lives can be saved and recovery improved for hundreds of patients each year.
The RAH will host a trauma unit, a specialist centre that will deliver expert care for patients suffering complex traumatic injuries.
Angus MacLean, clinical lead, West of Scotland Trauma Network, said:“I am delighted that the board has supported plans for the integrated trauma network, which will not only save lives, but will enhance the care and recovery of seriously injured patients in the West of Scotland.
“The network also builds in resilience for major incident management nationally which is critical in the modern era.
“With the committed additional investment, Greater Glasgow and Clyde will provide world class trauma care our health service will be proud of.”
The Scottish Government has committed £17million for the development of the network.
The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow will be at the centre of the plans, becoming the go-to place for those in the entire West of Scotland with the most serious injuries.
Major trauma is the leading cause of death in people under the age of 45 in Scotland and is the significant cause of short and long-term illness and poor health.
Patients are more likely to survive and make a full recovery if there is a major trauma network, regardless of how far away they are from the Major Trauma Centre.
The benefits of a major trauma network have been seen recently in the terrorist attacks in Manchester and London, where patients were treated across several major trauma centres and units, NHSGGC said.