The development of a policy on a trauma system for Ireland is a joint initiative from the Department of Health and the HSE. The primary aim of developing this policy is to improve patient outcomes and to lead to a reduction in preventable death and disability by ensuring that the trauma patient is delivered to the care facility that has the right resources to match his/her often multiple and critical needs in the shortest time possible.
The trauma care pathway encompasses pre-hospital care, Emergency Department resuscitation and emergency surgical intervention, reconstruction of injuries and rehabilitation. A Steering Group on a Trauma System for Ireland was established by the Minister (Chaired by Prof Eilis McGovern) in 2015. Five Working Groups were also established to make recommendations to the Steering Group in relation to each of the components of the trauma care pathway and in relation to the configuration of a trauma system for Ireland.
Given its scale, the development of the policy is still work in progress but it is expected the Steering Group's report will be completed as soon as possible in 2017.
