Trauma centre on the cards for CUH

Staff levels, a lack of a helipad and a properly funded ambulance service are just some of the services that need to be examined before CUH becomes a trauma centre.

A report published this week recommended that CUH become one of two major trauma centres in the country.

On Tuesday, the Health Minister Simon Harris published the report of the Trauma Steering Group, called A Trauma System for Ireland following Government approval,

While being welcomed by public representatives they also said improvements were needed before the unit could be set up.

The report recommended that the HSE should designate CUH as the major trauma centre for the South Trauma Network, contingent on it meeting the recommended designation criteria.

Cork TD and Fianna Fáil spokesperson for health Billy Kelleher told the Cork Independent: “The report makes a compelling argument for this designation and I hope the Minister for Health Simon Harris gives it full consideration. “The Government will have to ensure that the unit is adequately staffed and resourced should it accept the recommendations of the report.”

Welcoming the news, Blackpool based GP and city councillor John Sheehan said: “CUH is the only hospital that has all the specialties required for a trauma centre in one location, unlike in Dublin where all these specialties are divided up among the various hospitals. “For this trauma centre to be successful and efficient it must be backed up by a properly funded ambulance and air ambulance service,” the practicing GP said. Meanwhile Fine Gael Cllr John Buttimer made the point that there was no helipad in the area and this was an issue for him.

He also said that while he welcomed this report there needs to be continued investment in secondary and territory hospitals in Cork city and in primary care to support this recommended clinical structure.

Major trauma involves complex injuries that have the potential to cause prolonged disability or death. Estimates are that around 1,600 patients a year in Ireland suffer major trauma.

At the moment there is no trauma system in Ireland.

Emergency departments are equipped to a greater or lesser extent to deal with trauma, and there are pre-hospital emergency care services that brings people to those hospitals without having adequate clear protocols around trauma.

This means that currently, patients may present to any acute hospital, regardless of how much expertise and experience in trauma exists there.