Trauma, who cares? - Medics do!
The 2007 NCEPOD report on the management of trauma is out & makes for uncomfortable reading, especially with the wide variation in performance of what should be standardised responses to presentation at A&E.
NCEPOD said many of the problems identified in nearly 60% of patients treated across 200 hospitals were associated with staff being too inexperienced.
Consultant led trauma teams would be ideal but even one staffed with registrars would be a start.
All patients with severe head injury should be transferred to a neuro-surgical/critical care centre irrespective of the requirement for surgical intervention.
Hmm, this will require a massive increase in neuro-surgical / rehabilitative capacity & a sea-change in attitude.