Located at the RHH, the State’s major trauma centre significantly improved and expanded its care pathway for trauma patients in February 2023 with the recruitment of extra doctors and nurses.

Since the new model was established there have been 1000 trauma patients admitted to the service, with around 300 classified as “major traumas”. 

Major trauma cases are serious injuries that have the potential to cause prolonged disability or death, including through blunt or penetrating force. The two most common categories of trauma cases in Tasmania are falls and transport-related incidents. 

Under the upgraded service, all major trauma patients are admitted under a single multidisciplinary team of specialist trauma doctors and nurses who lead a patient’s care plan from presentation at emergency right through to rehabilitation.

Additionally, specialist trauma clinicians are on-call 24/7 to provide guidance to their colleagues in the North and North West caring for seriously injured patients, to ensure access to the best possible care no matter where they are in the state. 

Trauma Service Director Dr Adam Mahoney said the new service was benefitting patients and the wider hospital:

“Under the new service we are providing patients with a greater continuity of care from the point of first injury through to rehabilitation and supporting our colleagues across the state to ensure consistent management of injuries wherever they occur in Tasmania.

“By establishing a specialist admitting trauma service for the first time in Tasmania, we are also able to offer great training, collaboration and research opportunities to other clinicians in our hospital system.”

Trauma Service Program Manager Clare Collins said the service was there for people when they need it, but encouraged Tasmanians to be conscious of risk-taking behaviours.

“Our doctors and nurses will be here to look after you if you become injured, but often trauma injuries can be preventable if the right precautions are taken.

“From wearing a seat belt and driving safely to making your home a safe place for elderly relatives who might easily trip and fall, every individual who promotes safe behaviours is a role model for others.”

Royal Hobart Hospital Chief Executive Joe McDonald commended the trauma team for the care they provide to Tasmania’s most severely injured patients. 

“On the one-year anniversary of the new trauma service, I would like to acknowledge the hard-working doctors, nurses and allied health professionals across our trauma system for the exceptional care they provide, the lives they have saved and the hope they give to Tasmanians experiencing serious life-altering injury.

“Major trauma can strike anyone, which is why it’s fantastic to see the difference the expanded trauma service is making for patients – no matter where they are across the state.”