A study published by the NHS Confederation today says the care of patients who have suffered serious injury or accidents is best commissioned at a regional level.
In “Implementing trauma systems: key issues for the NHS” the Confederation argues that international best practice shows the commissioning and arrangement of trauma services must be done in networks on a regional level if it is to provide the right mix of specialised care, generic treatment and rehabilitation.
But the report also concedes that there is no ‘one size fits all’ model for arranging services as evidence shows concentration into larger volume centres for trauma care does not necessarily produce better results.
Services need to be co-ordinated properly in networks that take into account local factors. Getting this right will require an information revolution to allow commissioners, the people who buy services on behalf of patients, to fully understand the nature of local demand.
There should also be a clear picture of the incidence and nature of trauma and effective communication with local communities to explain why sometimes ambulances need to take patients to the right place rather than the nearest.
Ambulance Service Network director Jo Webber said:
“Co-ordinating trauma services properly will reduce the £3.3–£3.7 billion trauma costs the economy, reduce mortality rates by 10 per cent and make more efficient use of the £300-400 million the NHS currently spends on emergency care for trauma.
“While there is no one size fits all for which model works best, what is clear is that trauma care needs to be organised in networks at a regional level so people can get access to highly specialised care if needed and quality after care.
“To back this up, those organising these services into networks require a great deal more information so that not only can they get a more accurate picture of the incidence of trauma injury but also use that information to engage properly with local people over often very difficult decisions.
“It is vitally important for patients, the public, and local NHS organisations to recognise that each local area has to reach its own ‘Goldilocks’ balance of concentrated specialist care and generic services to ensure people get access to the care they need.”
To view the report click here.
