Major trauma is the term used for the most serious injuries. Major trauma means multiple, serious injuries that could result in death or serious disability. These might include serious head injuries, spinal injuries, stabbings, burns and most significantly road traffic accidents.
People who suffer serious injury (which is known as major trauma) need the highest quality specialist care to give them the best chances of survival and recovery and may need to be treated by different surgical specialities. These patients require constant close attention in a specialised, controlled environment.
Trauma affects everyone, not just the person injured but the entire network of friends and family. Trauma care can feel overwhelming as the treatment process is complex and involves many people. Keeping the patient, family and friends informed is vital to the healing process and the more you know, the easier the process will be.
Major trauma centres operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are staffed by consultant led specialist teams with access to the best diagnostic and treatment facilities, including orthopaedics, neurosurgery and radiology teams. Blackpool is a Major Trauma Unit, used to stabilise patients prior to transfer to a major trauma centre. The nearest major trauma centre to Blackpool is at the Royal Preston Hospital. If needed after stabilisation we will transfer patients to this facility.
Our most urgent priority is to stabilise the patient’s condition. Knowing how painful and frightening this period of waiting can be for families, we make every effort to let you see your loved one as soon as possible and learn the status of his or her condition.
Having a loved one in the hospital for a serious injury can be an emotionally overwhelming experience for everyone involved.
You, your family and your friends may have many questions. That is why we recommend you choose a spokesperson. This will help establish good communication with the health care providers who are caring for your family member or friend. The patient’s spokesperson keeps the lines of communication open between the health care providers and your family and friends.
As you support your family member or friend along the path of trauma treatment and recovery, we encourage you to ask questions. If you don’t understand a procedure or a technical term, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.
We welcome questions about the equipment, treatments and overall care of your family member or friend.
We encourage relatives to provide as much information about the patient’s medical history as possible to help the medical team.
Visit your loved one regularly, if allowed, and let him or her know you are there, even if he or she is not completely responsive. We recommend short, frequent visits so that your loved one can also rest as much as possible.
To prevent infection, please remember it is important to wash your hands before and after each visit.
Finally, we encourage you to take care of yourself. Your family member or friend will need your support when his or her condition improves.
As the patient’s condition improves, the trauma team’s emphasis shifts toward physical and cognitive rehabilitation.
Patients who have suffered a severe injury often need complex reconstructive surgery and care from many professionals, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists.
This care is very important and many patients need a personalised rehabilitation programme to help them return to an active life, which can take many months. This care may take place at the major trauma centre or other units in the area.
Our primary goal in the recovery of trauma patients is to help them regain independence. Many trauma patients recover from their injuries and are able to go directly home.
It is important for families and patients to remember that there is no set formula for recovery from traumatic injuries. The recovery period is different for every patient, depending upon the nature of the injuries, the health and age of the patient and other factors. Some patients have setbacks along the way, while others recover and are back to normal sooner than expected.
Age UK – (formerly age concern & help the aged). Information on money, health & wellbeing, home & care and learning for the elderly. 0800 169 2081 ageuk.org.uk
Brake – road safety charity and victim helpline. 0808 800 0401 brake.org.uk
Carers UK – help and advice for carers. 0808 808 7777 carersuk.org
Child Brain Injury Trust – support for children and their families after a brain injury. 0303 303 2248 childbraininjurytrust.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau – help with debt, family, consumer and legal rights. 03444 111 444 citizensadvice.org.uk
CRUSE – help with bereavement. 0808 808 1677 cruse.org.uk
Headway – support and information after a brain injury. 0808 800 2244 headway.org.uk
No Panic – (National Organisation for Phobias, Anxiety, Neuroses, Information & Care) – advice on panic attacks, phobias, OCD and other anxiety related disorders for sufferers and their families. 0844 967 4848 nopanic.org.uk
Samaritans – 24 hour helpline. 116 123 samaritans.org
Shelter – housing advice helpline. 0808 800 4444 shelter.org.uk
Spinal Injuries Association – support and information after a spinal injury. 01908 604 191 spinal.co.uk
Victim Support – support and information for anyone who has been affected by a crime. 0808 168 9111 victimsupport.org.uk
