The Scottish Government’s decision to create four new trauma centres throughout the country is at odds with a recommendation by experts.
The new major trauma centres (MTCs), which will provide urgent emergency care for patients, will be located at Ninewells in Dundee, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the new Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.
People with serious injuries, such as those who have been in a serious car accident or who experience severe head injuries, will be cared for initially at these centres.
The plan to create the four units flies in the face of the original recommendation by surgeons, emergency medicine consultants and paramedics, however, who decided: “The population size and incidence of major trauma in Scotland indicate the need for one, or at the most two, MTCs.”
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh president Ian Ritchie said: “The original report recommended that, for a population of five million, there should be one or possibly two major trauma centres in Scotland.
“I appreciate that there are political sensitivities and that the major imperative is to start the movement of major trauma into centres where we can ensure that all the specialities required for the treatment of these patients with major traumatic injuries are available easily.
“It is essential that data is collected on the outcomes of these patients to confirm that the expected improvements are being achieved.
“I am also concerned that there does not appear to be any consideration about the rehabilitation required for these patients.
“Our view is that this is just as much a part of the care of major injuries and should not be neglected.”
It is hoped that by speeding up access to specialist care and treatment the changes could save up to 40 lives each year.
NHS Tayside has welcomed the creation of the MTC at Ninewells.
A spokeswoman said: “The A&E department at Ninewells already deals with major trauma cases on a regular basis.
“The introduction of the trauma hub across Scotland will improve patient care and allow each centre to focus on providing life-saving treatment to patients who present with serious injuries from car accidents for example. The trauma centres will ensure that the patient is assessed immediately by a specialist team with access to the wide range of facilities and treatment needed.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The consensus of the expert group behind this work, which included representation from the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, is that four sites should be enhanced to provide definitive major trauma care.
“We recognise that there are conflicting views on the number of major trauma centres required and this is why we will be enhancing existing services gradually.”