TRAUMA
There is no trauma coverage at TMH.
Most seriously injured patient’s who are picked up by paramedics will bypass TMH completely. There are still “walk-ins” though, and then there are patients who have been under-triaged at the scene, often elderly patients with a benign sounding mechanism of injury.
However they arrive, if they are “trauma” they don’t have an inpatient team at TMH. Additionally there are no General Surgeons at TMH who are comfortable admitting trauma patients. The John Hunter Hospital is the local trauma centre.
In business hours and after hours, trauma patients should be assessed by a senior ED doctor. imaging and investigations should be arranged as required in stable patients.
For unstable patients the most senior team members on shift should be involved ASAP.
Patients who require admission should be discussed with the Trauma consultant on call at JHH who needs to accept the patient prior to transfer. The patient will go through JHH ED - please ensure their ED in-charge is aware of the patient transfer.