Dumfries and Galloway is being taken into the remit of the West of Scotland Major Trauma Centre at the city’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, due to open later this year.
It is part of a network of four major trauma centres around Scotland developed by the Scottish Government.
The aim is to provide care and treatment for those with the most serious, life-threatening injuries.
However, assurances were given that patients within Dumfries and Galloway who remain outwith the 45 minute transfer time to the Major Trauma Centre will continue to attend their local hospitals initially, prior to onward transfer to Glasgow.
Talking at the launch of the trauma network in 2019, Dr Jennifer Armstrong, NHSGGC’s medical director, explained: “Evidence shows that you are 15-20 per centre more likely to survive if you are admitted to a Major Trauma Centre. Patients will receive the best possible care from specialised teams providing emergency access to consultants 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Not only that but patients who get this initial treatment are less likely to have a long-term disability and have a better chance of returning to a normal life afterwards, including returning to work and their normal routine and activities.”
Major trauma is the leading cause of death in people under the age of 45 in Scotland and is the significant cause of short and long-term illness and poor health.
Meanwhile, patients needing vascular treatment are also set to travel outwith the region.
An update was given to NHS Dumfries and Galloway Board members this week on the phased approach to develop the two vascular hubs for the West of Scotland, one at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the other at Hairmyres University Hospital, East Kilbride.
They will henceforth provide the vascular support for Dumfries and Galloway.
