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What is a Major Trauma Centre?

The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow is the Major Trauma Centre for children in the West Coast of Scotland.

This means that our hospital has all of the necessary speciality expert teams who can provide the best care for the most severely injured children.

Having everyone under the same roof helps us to give children the best chance for receiving expert immediate care and a tailored recovery plan to best work for the child and their whole family.

Although our hospital might not be the closest hospital to you and your family, it is a regional centre and we are therefore able to provide all the care with our dedicated specialist paediatric facilities.

“Saving lives; giving life back.”

Arriving at the hospital

None of our patients plan to come to hospital. Trauma is unplanned, unexpected and affects the whole family. Half of all our patients are brought to RHC in an ambulance, some come in a helicopter and a large number attend with their families, either by car or public transport.

After attending the Emergency department the teams of skilled staff will determine the best place for each patient depending on their injuries. This could mean going to have a scan, going to theatre or being admitted to one of our wards.

Major Trauma Coordinators

If your child has been admitted to the Glasgow children’s hospital following a significant injury then we would hope that you will meet one of our Major Trauma Coordinators.

Our coordinators help to streamline the pathways and journey through the hospital and beyond.

They liaise closely with families from admission until discharge to help to act as one voice and one point of contact. They help to establish their rehabilitation needs and then help to coordinate these needs with all the necessary and relevant teams (Physiotherapy, Orthotics, Occupational Therapist, Dietitians, Speech and Language and more).

What to expect

The Major Trauma Coordinators will aim to meet you as soon as possible after your child’s admission to hospital. When we meet with you, we will gather as much information about your child’s injuries and to establish and clarify with you all the key members of the teams looking after your child at each point.

The coordinators, with your permission, will communicate with your family doctor (GP), your child’s school or nursery and any other teams that are involved in your child’s development.

We aim to continue to act as your one point of contact. We will provide you with relevant information and advice about what is happening throughout your child’s treatment and rehabilitation.

How can we be contacted?

Paediatric Major Trauma Coordinators, Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow: Mark Lilley, Lynsay Stewart and Jenna Hills

Telephone: 07977 030 660 (phone call or text message)

What happens when we go home?

While your child is in hospital, we will be making plans to get you all back home as soon as possible.

Some children will continue to require ongoing help and support in the community after discharge
from hospital. We will make sure that all the necessary teams are aware when you are home so that that ongoing care can continue.

If or when you return to the hospital for follow-up appointments we will always aim to meet you at that point to make sure everything is progressing well.

We realise that changing from hospital to home can sometimes bring up different needs. We will also aim to call you about 14 days after your child goes home just to make sure that everything is progressing well. The phone number that will display on your phone is “0800 678 3393”.

Comments and feedback

We welcome your comments and feedback about our Service. If you would like to give us feedback please go to: www.careopinion.org.uk

 

Additional information

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 24/10/2023

Next review date: 31/10/2026

Author(s): Paediatric Major Trauma Coordinators, Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow: Mark Lilley, Lynsay Stewart and Jenna Hills.