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Wed Nov 21 18:42:05 GMT 2007

Jonathan,

We should have all learned a long time ago that much of what is written in today's press is far from being entirely factual.  Personally, I take everything I read or hear in the press with a shaker of salt, 'cause a grain won't do it any more.  This article reminds me of the NYT article about John Holcomb, the "aggressive Army surgeon". Yup, the very same one that I had the pleasure of working with on more that one occasion, usually indirectly, and always with superb outcomes for the ones that matter most - the soldier who I had been entrusted to care for!

Take care, and don't dispair!  UH OH!! I best quit - I'm starting to wax poetic...  :-0

Ron

>>> "Jonathan Marrow" <jonathan at marrow.com> 11/21/2007 12:37 PM >>>
I could write a long essay in response, Connie.  Whilst I am the first to 
accept that there is lots of room for improvement in trauma care in the UK I 
don't think trauma-list members should accept that the picture you paint is 
the only view of trauma care over here.

I am hoping that someone will be able to take up some of your points in 
detail.   I can't do that right now as I am off to teach on an ATLS Course.

All the best
Jonathan Marrow
(UK Emergency Physician)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Connie Potter" <Connie at traumafoundation.org>
To: <trauma-list at trauma.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 4:11 PM
Subject: Trauma Care in the UK

Trauma care in the UK, with a few exceptions, is similar to that in the
US in the 60's.  The injured patient is taken to the nearest facility
where chaos ensues in many situations.

Basically, there is no standard ED triage training (this is a project
being brought in by a consulting firm from the US called Modeladvice,
inc.), and no trauma system.  Karen Dunwell at modeladvice.com is
working with a number of HCA's (see below) to bring their healthcare
system into the 21st Century.  They have a new website which I have not
seen but might be of interest to you.

The UK for the past year has been undergoing radical reorganization of
its Health Care Areas (HCA's) and bringing DRG's into their system.
They are also focusing on significant problems needing areas of
improvement such as waiting times for orthpaedic procedures, operations
that can be done on a outpatient basis (previously none), etc.

You are correct that the UK needs an organized trauma system.  That in
the US is incomplete as well.  England, Scotland and Ireland also have
many other basic healthcare operational problems that may take
precedence over trauma (sound familiar?).  Simple training in our most
commonly accepted ED triage processes would be a great step for the UK.

This was an interesting topic for our Society.

Connie Potter, Executive Director
National Foundation for Trauma Care
(505) 525-9511

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