SIRA funding improvements to trauma care services across NSW
SIRA is breaking new ground in Australia by funding a three-year project to improve trauma care standards in NSW. The project is expected to reduce preventable trauma deaths and secondary complications during hospitalisation and recovery.
Why is this project necessary?
Severe, traumatic injury remains the leading cause of death and disability in Australians under 40 years of age. Current evidence suggests that low levels of trauma service resourcing are strongly associated with poorer patient outcomes.
Improved access to specialist trauma care and stronger referral networks are expected to improve survival and recovery after severe injury, particularly in rural and regional NSW.
Improvements in trauma services will ensure the highest quality care is available for people injured at work or on the road, no matter where in NSW a person is injured.
How will trauma services be improved?
The Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS) will apply the Australian and NSW Zealand Trauma Verification Program, a validated and internationally recognised capability assessment program to help hospitals analyse their trauma care systems.
Starting in the second half of 2021 six identified trauma referral networks in NSW will have their capability and performance assessed over three-years. The aim is to strengthen and support services to better coordinate and deliver earlier and more effective rehabilitation and return to work outcomes in local communities.
Who is involved?
SIRA is providing funding for the verification project.
The NSW Institute of Trauma and Injury Management (ITIM), a network within the Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI), is implementing this program as part of their NSW Trauma Services Model of Care project.
ITIM has engaged RACS to conduct the trauma verification consultation visits in hospital trauma centres in Coffs Harbour, Gosford, Newcastle, Lismore, Nepean, Orange, Port Macquarie, Sydney, Tamworth, Tweed Heads, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong.
More information
- Visit the NSW Institute of Trauma and Injury website for more information on trauma in NSW.
- Visit the RACS website for more information about trauma verification.