Greater Manchester major trauma services reviewed

One of Greater Manchester's two major trauma centres is based at Salford Royal

The way in which support is provided to people who suffer life-threatening injuries in Greater Manchester is being reviewed.

Patients in the region are usually treated at either Salford Royal or the Manchester Royal Infirmary but an NHS report said "neither site currently delivers" the required standard for major trauma services.

An NHS Greater Manchester spokesperson said: "A review is under way to determine the most effective long-term approach for delivering a fully compliant major trauma centre service."

"It's not about removing local services from one hospital," said Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. "It's about asking how we can get the highest standards we can possibly achieve."

'Deliver efficiencies'

Four successive peer reviews between 2014 and 2024 found Greater Manchester to be non-compliant with national standards.

The NHS has acknowledged that, in order to meet them, it needs to deliver efficiencies and remove duplicated costs.

"The staff we're talking about here are at the top of their profession and the more you simplify the structure, then that is a better way of delivering trauma care, said Burnham.

A study is under way to select a specialist site for future major trauma provision.

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Manchester said: "No decisions have yet been made, and any proposals will be subject to further consideration through the appropriate NHS governance and assurance processes."

'Getting help quickly'

According to the NHS, trauma - which includes assaults, road traffic accidents and falls from height - is the most common cause of death for people under 40.

In some of the most serious cases, the North West Air Ambulance flies patients to intensive care units at Salford Royal or the Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Getting help quickly is crucial when it comes to saving lives and improving the quality of life for those who survive serious accidents.

The highest standards of care require state-of-the-art equipment and staff who can deliver specialist treatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.