Agenda item

6.1

Ian Atkinson, Accountable Officer, NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), accompanied by Daniel Mason, Sheffield Urgent Care Lead, provided an update on the progress regarding the implementation of the national strategy for major trauma within the Yorkshire and Humber region.  The report provided details of what major trauma comprised, the number of people identified as major trauma cases in the Yorkshire and the Humber region, the plans for improving major trauma care in the region, how the CCG was ensuring that such improvements happened and what  the changes would mean for local hospitals.  The report also set out details of the progress made with regard to the transformation of major trauma treatment and care since April 2012, details of the CCG’s approach from April 2013, and attached, as an appendix, details of all the Major Trauma Centres and Trauma Units in the South Yorkshire and the Humber region.

6.2

Members of the Committee and representatives of Sheffield LINk raised questions and the following responses were provided:-

·         Sheffield has a Major Trauma Centre at the Northern General Hospital for adults and a Centre at the Children’s Hospital for people under 16.

·         The vast majority of patients with major trauma are taken directly to, and reach a Major Trauma Centre, within the designated 45 minute timescale.

·         There were likely to be no problems in terms of capacity issues arising from the proposals to improve access to specialist services regardless of where in the region someone was injured.

·         There were no major issues, in terms of performance comparisons with other core cities in terms of dealing with major trauma.

·         Major Trauma Centres provided a very “front end” service and ensured that patients were clinically safe. The Centres were commissioned by NHS England.

·         Rehabilitation was going to be more effective in Major Trauma Units as there was a wider range of services available to patients. The commissioning of Trauma Units and the rehabilitation of patients was the responsibility of CCGs. Every effort was made to ensure that patients were rehabilitated locally so they could be near friends/family.

·         There were a range of rehabilitation services across South Yorkshire and work was underway to understand what services were currently being offered and what may be needed in the future.

·         If a patient suffered a major trauma at a location in North Derbyshire, a decision would be made by East Midlands Ambulance Service, based on the 45 minute rule, as to whether they were referred to either a Major Trauma Centre in Sheffield or Nottingham.

·         There were arrangements in place for Major Trauma Centres and all hospitals to collaborate in the event of a major incident where there are a number of people involved.  All the centres and units will be aware of the planning arrangements, and all resources could be made available, with all routine elective services being suspended if necessary.

·         There was a range of rehabilitation services across South Yorkshire and an analysis was currently being undertaken of all such services in order to identify whether there were any gaps in services for patients requiring them.

·         In terms of the assessment of patients at the scene of an incident, progress was being made to ensure that all coding systems in terms of the patient’s condition were consistent.

·         In the event of a major incident, the Health Service was part of the Gold, Silver and Bronze command structure, in partnership with other emergency services, such as the Police.

6.3

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       notes the contents of the report now submitted, together with the responses provided to the questions raised;

(b)       thanks Ian Atkinson and Daniel Mason for attending the meeting and responding to the questions raised; and

(c)        requests that a further report on this issue be submitted to a meeting of the Committee in 12 months’ time, focusing on the progress made with regard to the proposed improvements to rehabilitation services.