The London Major Trauma System
Major trauma is a public health concern, where measures need to be taken to prevent injury, promote health, and prolong life amongst the population as a whole. These goals can’t be achieved by individual services or hospitals working in isolation, and the delivery of high quality trauma care is dependent on a network of specialist expertise and appropriately targeted resources. Regional trauma systems aim to provide a continuum of care for all injured patients within a geographical location. An ‘inclusive’ system of trauma care involves collaboration between prehospital providers, acute hospitals within the region, rehabilitation services, community and social care, public health and commissioners.
The London Major Trauma System (LMTS) is an inclusive system covering the Greater London area, plus parts of Essex, Kent and Surrey. The LMTS is responsible for the entire patient pathway from the point of injury to rehabilitation and reintegration into society, and is divided into four geographical networks, each headed by a clinical director and network manager:
- North West London Trauma Network
- North East London and Essex Trauma Network
- South West London and Surrey Trauma Network
- South East London Kent and Medway Trauma Network
Each network has one designated Major Trauma Centre (MTCs) and a number of local Trauma Units (TUs). MTCs must have resources available 24 hours a day to manage severely injured patients. A trauma unit (TU) is responsible for the local management of patients with less severe injuries, or the safe assessment and transfer of those requiring MTC level care. The LMTS works collaboratively with a number of prehospital care organisations.
Click here to access an interactive map of the London Major Trauma System showing all participating hospitals and key contacts.
Pan London Clinical Director: Professor Karim Brohi
Senior Clinical Networks Manager: Kathy Brennan
Director of Research and Innovation: Dr Elaine Cole
