‘Super-centres’ to treat critically injured trauma victims

Car crash and gun crime victims will be treated at special trauma units from today in an attempt to save hundreds more lives a year.

Ambulances will take critically injured patients to 24-hour "super-centres" instead of local A & E units, under reforms by health chiefs.

These centres will be at The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, King's College Hospital in Denmark Hill and St George's in Tooting.

A fourth, St Mary's in Paddington, will go live in October. The ambulance service will co-ordinate the transfer of patients via a special desk at its HQ.

Staff will assess trauma victims and send those in the "high risk" category to one of the new units. Those less seriously hurt will get treatment at local centres which are part of the new network.

There are about 1,600 major trauma cases a year in London, but there have been concerns over how effective the system for treating them is.

In Britain, death rates for severely injured patients who are alive when they reach hospital are 40 per cent higher than parts of the US that have effective trauma systems.

Dr Fionna Moore, clinical director for trauma in London, said: "People who suffer serious injury need the highest quality specialist care to give them the best chances of survival."

Mike Walsh, trauma surgeon and clinical director at The Royal London, said the focus should also be on prevention, and on longer-term rehabilitation after lifesaving treatment.

He added: "Behaviour which led to a crash can be changed. If you look at trauma you start with prevention. Also, the rehab facilities are not there."