Health Minister Tony RyallFriday 13 July 2012, 3:59PM
Media release from Health minister Tony Ryall
More seriously injured patients in the central North Island are
surviving their accidents and getting better care since the Midland
Regional Trauma System (MRTS) was set up two years ago.
The clinically led system which Health Minister Tony Ryall launched
in March 2010 integrates care for serious accident victims across
four District Health Boards - Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and
Lakes DHBs.
Trauma care is the treatment given to seriously injured patients by
specialist teams of surgeons and nurses from the first care through
to recovery and rehabilitation.
Speaking at this year's MRTS symposium, Mr Ryall says strong
clinical leadership across the Midland region is making sure
patients receive consistently good care after a serious
accident.
"We know a patient's recovery is often linked to how quickly they
get treatment - and in an emergency, that action is required within
minutes. Rapid and precise decision-making early is key to saving
lives. So are agreed best practice guidelines and a clear plan for
the patient's rehabilitation afterwards.
"One of the strengths of a trauma network is that clinicians in all
four DHBs talk to each other regularly about the best treatment and
care for trauma patients.
"Under the strong leadership of Grant Christey, the MRTS has gone
from a small group of dedicated health professionals at Waikato
Hospital, to a regional network of trauma specialists working
together to give patients the best care available.
"The Christchurch earthquakes have brought into stark relief the
importance of developing responsive and resilient trauma
systems.
"This Government is committed to regional planning and integration
of services so that DHBs work effectively together with each other
and other service providers. This will improve the quality of care
for patients and reduce duplication and wasted resources.
"Recently we announced the new National Major Trauma Clinical
Network - a joint initiative between ACC and the Ministry of
Health. It will work closely with successful regional networks such
as MRTS to ensure the very best level of trauma care is provided
consistently for severely injured patients across New
Zealand."
Background
A core group for the Midland Regional Trauma System is based at
Waikato Hospital and provides on-going professional support and
clinical advice to the other DHBs in the group. The core group also
administers the central registry and Trauma Quality Improvement
Programme based on registry data.
Since MRTS establishment, Waikato Hospital has gained provisional
Level 1 Trauma Verification by the Royal Australasian College of
Surgeons.