The Trauma Service at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) is home to the State Adult Major Trauma Centre, and cares for over 1000 major trauma and 5,000 minor trauma admissions annually. Approximately 80% of major trauma patients in Western Australia are treated by the service.

Patients’ inpatient treatment and journey is coordinated from the dedicated 30-bed State Major Trauma Unit, where patients are admitted under the care of a team of dedicated subspecialist surgeons in trauma surgery, who work closely with colleagues from other specialities, nursing and allied health.

Fundamental to the care delivery is the close collaboration of the full complement of allied health professionals, including clinical psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, drug and alcohol services, pharmacy, speech pathology and others. The dedicated nursing team are also subspecialised to the care for injured patients.

The clinical care of a patient at RPH is delivered throughout the hospital with involvement of multiple other departments and services. Patients are typically received in the Emergency Department, before admission to the inpatient wards. Departments and services which may contribute to the patient’s journey include the Intensive Care Unit, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Pain Services, Transfusion Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Rehabilitation Medicine.

Outpatient care is delivered through Trauma Surgery and other clinics in the Outpatient Department.

The Trauma Service has a strong focus on the safety and quality of clinical care, with embedded processes for facilitating the ongoing development of the clinical care. The unit is also engaged in active clinical research and contributes to the State Trauma Registry and the Australia New Zealand Trauma Registry (external link).

The Trauma Service has been verified by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (external link) Trauma Verification Program as a Level 1 service. The Service is also accredited by the Post Fellowship Education and Training program (external link) in Trauma for two dedicated Fellowships in Trauma Surgery.